Inbred maize line PHBAB

ABSTRACT

An inbred maize line, designated PHBAB, the seeds and plants of inbred maize line PHBAB, methods for producing a maize plant, either inbred or hybrid, produced by crossing the inbred maize line PHBAB with another maize plant, and seed and plants produced therefrom. The invention also relates to methods for producing a modified PHBAB maize plant that comprises in its genetic material one or more transgenes or backcross conversion genes and to the transgenic and backcross conversion maize plants produced by these methods. This invention also relates to methods for producing other inbred and hybrid maize lines derived from inbred maize line PHBAB and to the inbred and hybrid maize lines so produced.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.10/355,668, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,969,788, filed on Jan. 31, 2003, thecontents of which are hereby incorporated by reference in theirentirety.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates generally to the field of maize breeding,specifically relating to an inbred maize line designated PHBAB.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The goal of plant breeding is to combine, in a single variety or hybrid,various desirable traits. For field crops, these traits may includeresistance to diseases and insects, tolerance to heat and drought,reducing the time to crop maturity, greater yield, and better agronomicquality. With mechanical harvesting of many crops, uniformity of plantcharacteristics such as germination and stand establishment, growthrate, maturity, and plant and ear height, is important. Traditionalplant breeding is an important tool in developing new and improvedcommercial crops.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to the invention, there is provided a novel inbred maize line,designated PHBAB. This invention thus relates to the seeds of inbredmaize line PHBAB, to the plants of inbred maize line PHBAB, to plantparts of inbred maize line PHBAB, to methods for producing a maize plantproduced by crossing the inbred maize line PHBAB with another maizeplant, including a plant that is part of a synthetic or naturalpopulation, and to methods for producing a maize plant containing in itsgenetic material one or more backcross conversion trait or transgene andto the backcross conversion maize plants and plant parts produced bythose methods. This invention also relates to inbred maize lines andplant parts derived from inbred maize line PHBAB, to methods forproducing other inbred maize lines derived from inbred maize line PHBABand to the inbred maize lines and their parts derived by the use ofthose methods. This invention further relates to hybrid maize seeds,plants and plant parts produced by crossing the inbred line PHBAB or abackcross conversion of PHBAB with another maize line.

Definitions

Certain definitions used in the specification are provided below. Alsoin the examples that follow, a number of terms are used herein. In orderto provide a clear and consistent understanding of the specification andclaims, including the scope to be given such terms, the followingdefinitions are provided. NOTE: ABS is in absolute terms and % MN ispercent of the mean for the experiments in which the inbred or hybridwas grown. PCT designates that the trait is calculated as a percentage.% NOT designates the percentage of plants that did not exhibit a trait.For example, STKLDG % NOT is the percentage of plants in a plot thatwere not stalk lodged. These designators will follow the descriptors todenote how the values are to be interpreted.

ABTSTK=ARTIFICIAL BRITTLE STALK. A count of the number of “snapped”plants per plot following machine snapping. A snapped plant has itsstalk completely snapped at a node between the base of the plant and thenode above the ear. Expressed as percent of plants that did not snap.

ALLELE. Any of one or more alternative forms of a genetic sequence.Typically, in a diploid cell or organism, the two alleles of a givensequence occupy corresponding loci on a pair of homologous chromosomes.

ANT ROT=ANTHRACNOSE STALK ROT (Colletotrichum graminicola). A 1 to 9visual rating indicating the resistance to Anthracnose Stalk Rot. Ahigher score indicates a higher resistance.

BACKCROSSING. Process in which a breeder crosses a progeny line back toone of the parental genotypes one or more times.

BARPLT=BARREN PLANTS. The percent of plants per plot that were notbarren (lack ears).

BREEDING. The genetic manipulation of living organisms.

BREEDING CROSS. A cross to introduce new genetic material into a plantfor the development of a new variety. For example, one could cross plantA with plant B, wherein plant B would be genetically different fromplant A. After the breeding cross, the resulting F1 plants could then beselfed or sibbed for one, two, three or more times (F1, F2, F3, etc.)until a new inbred variety is developed. For clarification, such newinbred varieties would be within a pedigree distance of one breedingcross of plants A and B.

BRTSTK=BRITTLE STALKS. This is a measure of the stalk breakage near thetime of pollination, and is an indication of whether a hybrid or inbredwould snap or break near the time of flowering under severe winds. Dataare presented as percentage of plants that did not snap.

CLDTST=COLD TEST. The percent of plants that germinate under cold testconditions.

CLN=CORN LETHAL NECROSIS. Synergistic interaction of maize chloroticmottle virus (MCMV) in combination with either maize dwarf mosaic virus(MDMV-A or MDMV-B) or wheat streak mosaic virus (WSMV). A 1 to 9 visualrating indicating the resistance to Corn Lethal Necrosis. A higher scoreindicates a higher resistance.

COMRST=COMMON RUST (Puccinia sorghi). A 1 to 9 visual rating indicatingthe resistance to Common Rust. A higher score indicates a higherresistance.

D/D=DRYDOWN. This represents the relative rate at which a hybrid willreach acceptable harvest moisture compared to other hybrids on a 1 to 9rating scale. A high score indicates a hybrid that dries relatively fastwhile a low score indicates a hybrid that dries slowly.

DIPERS=DIPLODIA EAR MOLD SCORES (Diplodia maydis and Diplodiamacrospora). A 1 to 9 visual rating indicating the resistance toDiplodia Ear Mold. A higher score indicates a higher resistance.

DIPROT=DIPLODIA STALK ROT SCORE. Score of stalk rot severity due toDiplodia (Diplodia maydis). Expressed as a 1 to 9 score with 9 beinghighly resistant.

DRPEAR=DROPPED EARS. A measure of the number of dropped ears per plotand represents the percentage of plants that did not drop ears prior toharvest.

D/T=DROUGHT TOLERANCE. This represents a 1 to 9 rating for droughttolerance, and is based on data obtained under stress conditions. A highscore indicates good drought tolerance and a low score indicates poordrought tolerance.

EARHT=EAR HEIGHT. The ear height is a measure from the ground to thehighest placed developed ear node attachment and is measured incentimeters.

EARMLD=GENERAL EAR MOLD. Visual rating (1 to 9 score) where a “1” isvery susceptible and a “9” is very resistant. This is based on overallrating for ear mold of mature ears without determining the specific moldorganism, and may not be predictive for a specific ear mold.

EARSZ=EAR SIZE. A 1 to 9 visual rating of ear size. The higher therating the larger the ear size.

EBTSTK=EARLY BRITTLE STALK. A count of the number of “snapped” plantsper plot following severe winds when the corn plant is experiencing veryrapid vegetative growth in the V5-V8 stage. Expressed as percent ofplants that did not snap.

ECB1LF=EUROPEAN CORN BORER FIRST GENERATION LEAF FEEDING (Ostrinianubilalis). A 1 to 9 visual rating indicating the resistance topreflowering leaf feeding by first generation European Corn Borer. Ahigher score indicates a higher resistance.

ECB21T=EUROPEAN CORN BORER SECOND GENERATION INCHES OF TUNNELING(Ostrinia nubilalis). Average inches of tunneling per plant in thestalk.

ECB2SC=EUROPEAN CORN BORER SECOND GENERATION (Ostrinia nubilalis). A 1to 9 visual rating indicating post flowering degree of stalk breakageand other evidence of feeding by European Corn Borer, Second Generation.A higher score indicates a higher resistance.

ECBDPE=EUROPEAN CORN BORER DROPPED EARS (Ostrinia nubilalis). proppedears due to European Corn Borer. Percentage of plants that did not dropears under second generation corn borer infestation.

EGRWTH=EARLY GROWTH. This is a measure of the relative height and sizeof a corn seedling at the 2-4 leaf stage of growth. This is a visualrating (1 to 9), with 1 being weak or slow growth, 5 being averagegrowth and 9 being strong growth. Taller plants, wider leaves, moregreen mass and darker color constitute higher score.

ELITE INBRED. An inbred that contributed desirable qualities when usedto produce commercial hybrids. An elite inbred may also be used infurther breeding for the purpose of developing further improvedvarieties.

ERTLDG=EARLY ROOT LODGING. Early root lodging is the percentage ofplants that do not root lodge prior to or around anthesis; plants thatlean from the vertical axis at an approximately 30° angle or greaterwould be counted as root lodged.

ERTLPN=EARLY ROOT LODGING. An estimate of the percentage of plants thatdo not root lodge prior to or around anthesis; plants that lean from thevertical axis at an approximately 30° angle or greater would beconsidered as root lodged.

ERTLSC=EARLY ROOT LODGING SCORE. Score for severity of plants that leanfrom a vertical axis at an approximate 30° angle or greater whichtypically results from strong winds prior to or around floweringrecorded within 2 weeks of a wind event. Expressed as a 1 to 9 scorewith 9 being no lodging.

ESTCNT=EARLY STAND COUNT. This is a measure of the stand establishmentin the spring and represents the number of plants that emerge on perplot basis for the inbred or hybrid.

EYESPT=EYE SPOT (Kabatiella zeae or Aureobasidium zeae). A 1 to 9 visualrating indicating the resistance to Eye Spot. A higher score indicates ahigher resistance.

FUSERS=FUSARIUM EAR ROT SCORE (Fusarium moniliforme or Fusariumsubglutinans). A 1 to 9 visual rating indicating the resistance toFusarium ear rot. A higher score indicates a higher resistance.

GDU=GROWING DEGREE UNITS. Using the Barger Heat Unit Theory, whichassumes that maize growth occurs in the temperature range 50° F.-86° F.and that temperatures outside this range slow down growth; the maximumdaily heat unit accumulation is 36 and the minimum daily heat unitaccumulation is 0. The seasonal accumulation of GDU is a major factor indetermining maturity zones.

GDUSHD=GDU TO SHED. The number of growing degree units (GDUs) or heatunits required for an inbred line or hybrid to have approximately 50percent of the plants shedding pollen and is measured from the time ofplanting. Growing degree units are calculated by the Barger Method,where the heat units for a 24-hour period are:

${GDU} = {\frac{\text{(Max.~~temp.~~+~~Min.~~temp.)}}{2} - 50}$

The highest maximum temperature used is 86° F. and the lowest minimumtemperature used is 50° F. For each inbred or hybrid it takes a certainnumber of GDUs to reach various stages of plant development.

GDUSLK=GDU TO SILK. The number of growing degree units required for aninbred line or hybrid to have approximately 50 percent of the plantswith silk emergence from time of planting. Growing degree units arecalculated by the Barger Method as given in GDU SHD definition.

GENOTYPE. Refers to the genetic constitution of a cell or organism.

GIBERS=GIBBERELLA EAR ROT (PINK MOLD) (Gibberella zeae). A 1 to 9 visualrating indicating the resistance to Gibberella Ear Rot. A higher scoreindicates a higher resistance.

GIBROT=GIBBERELLA STALK ROT SCORE. Score of stalk rot severity due toGibberella (Gibberella zeae). Expressed as a 1 to 9 score with 9 beinghighly resistant.

GLFSPT=GRAY LEAF SPOT (Cercospora zeae-maydis). A 1 to 9 visual ratingindicating the resistance to Gray Leaf Spot. A higher score indicates ahigher resistance.

GOSWLT=GOSS'WILT (Corynebacterium nebraskense). A 1 to 9 visual ratingindicating the resistance to Goss'Wilt. A higher score indicates ahigher resistance.

GRNAPP=GRAIN APPEARANCE. This is a 1 to 9 rating for the generalappearance of the shelled grain as it is harvested based on such factorsas the color of harvested grain, any mold on the grain, and any crackedgrain. High scores indicate good grain quality.

HCBLT=HELMINTHOSPORIUM CARBONUM LEAF BLIGHT (Helminthosporium carbonum).A 1 to 9 visual rating indicating the resistance to Helminthosporiuminfection. A higher score indicates a higher resistance.

HD SMT=HEAD SMUT (Sphacelotheca reiliana). This score indicates thepercentage of plants not infected.

HSKCVR=HUSK COVER. A 1 to 9 score based on performance relative to keychecks, with a score of 1 indicating very short husks, tip of ear andkernels showing; 5 is intermediate coverage of the ear under mostconditions, sometimes with thin husk; and a 9 has husks extending andclosed beyond the tip of the ear. Scoring can best be done nearphysiological maturity stage or any time during dry down untilharvested.

INC D/A=GROSS INCOME (DOLLARS PER ACRE). Relative income per acreassuming drying costs of two cents per point above 15.5 percent harvestmoisture and current market price per bushel.

INCOME/ACRE. Income advantage of hybrid to be patented over other hybridon per acre basis.

INC ADV=GROSS INCOME ADVANTAGE. GROSS INCOME advantage of variety #1over variety #2.

KSZDCD=KERNEL SIZE DISCARD. The percent of discard seed; calculated asthe sum of discarded tip kernels and extra large kernels.

LINKAGE. Refers to a phenomenon wherein alleles on the same chromosometend to segregate together more often than expected by chance if theirtransmission was independent.

LINKAGE DISEQUILIBRIUM. Refers to a phenomenon wherein alleles tend toremain together in linkage groups when segregating from parents tooffspring, with a greater frequency than expected from their individualfrequencies.

L/POP=YIELD AT LOW DENSITY. Yield ability at relatively low plantdensities on a 1 to 9 relative system with a higher number indicatingthe hybrid responds well to low plant densities for yield relative toother hybrids. A 1, 5, and 9 would represent very poor, average, andvery good yield response, respectively, to low plant density.

LRTLDG=LATE ROOT LODGING. Late root lodging is the percentage of plantsthat do not root lodge after anthesis through harvest; plants that leanfrom the vertical axis at an approximately 30° angle or greater would becounted as root lodged.

LRTLPN=LATE ROOT LODGING. Late root lodging is an estimate of thepercentage of plants that do not root lodge after anthesis throughharvest; plants that lean from the vertical axis at an approximately 30°angle or greater would be considered as root lodged.

LRTLSC=LATE ROOT LODGING SCORE. Score for severity of plants that leanfrom a vertical axis at an approximate 30° angle or greater whichtypically results from strong winds after flowering. Recorded prior toharvest when a root-lodging event has occurred. This lodging results inplants that are leaned or “lodged” over at the base of the plant and donot straighten or “goose-neck” back to a vertical position. Expressed asa 1 to 9 score with 9 being no lodging.

MDMCPX=MAIZE DWARF MOSAIC COMPLEX (MDMV=Maize Dwarf Mosaic Virus andMCDV=Maize Chlorotic Dwarf Virus). A 1 to 9 visual rating indicating theresistance to Maize Dwarf Mosaic Complex. A higher score indicates ahigher resistance.

MST=HARVEST MOISTURE. The moisture is the actual percentage moisture ofthe grain at harvest.

MSTADV=MOISTURE ADVANTAGE. The moisture advantage of variety #1 overvariety #2 as calculated by: MOISTURE of variety #2−MOISTURE of variety#1=MOISTURE ADVANTAGE of variety #1.

NLFBLT=NORTHERN LEAF BLIGHT (Helminthosporium turcicum or Exserohilumturcicum). A 1 to 9 visual rating indicating the resistance to NorthernLeaf Blight. A higher score indicates a higher resistance.

OILT=GRAIN OIL. Absolute value of oil content of the kernel as predictedby Near-Infrared Transmittance and expressed as a percent of dry matter.

PEDIGREE DISTANCE. Relationship among generations based on theirancestral links as evidenced in pedigrees. May be measured by thedistance of the pedigree from a given starting point in the ancestry.

PLANT. As used herein, the term “plant” includes reference to animmature or mature whole plant, including a plant that has beendetasseled or from which seed or grain has been removed. Seed or embryothat will produce the plant is also considered to be the plant.

PLANT PARTS. As used herein, the term “plant parts” includes leaves,stems, roots, seed, grain, embryo, pollen, ovules, flowers, ears, cobs,husks, stalks, root tips, anthers, silk, tissue, cells and the like.

PLANT CELL. Plant cell, as used herein includes, plant cells whetherisolated, in tissue culture or incorporated in a plant or plant part.

PLTHT=PLANT HEIGHT. This is a measure of the height of the plant fromthe ground to the tip of the tassel in centimeters.

POLSC=POLLEN SCORE. A 1 to 9 visual rating indicating the amount ofpollen shed. The higher the score the more pollen shed.

POLWT=POLLEN WEIGHT. This is calculated by dry weight of tasselscollected as shedding commences minus dry weight from similar tasselsharvested after shedding is complete.

POP K/A=PLANT POPULATIONS. Measured as 1000 s per acre.

POP ADV=PLANT POPULATION ADVANTAGE. The plant population advantage ofvariety #1 over variety #2 as calculated by PLANT POPULATION of variety#2−PLANT POPULATION of variety #1=PLANT POPULATION ADVANTAGE of variety#1.

PRM=PREDICTED RELATIVE MATURITY. This trait, predicted relativematurity, is based on the harvest moisture of the grain. The relativematurity rating is based on a known set of checks and utilizes standardlinear regression analyses and is also referred to as the ComparativeRelative Maturity Rating System that is similar to the MinnesotaRelative Maturity Rating System.

PRMSHD=A relative measure of the growing degree units (GDU) required toreach 50% pollen shed. Relative values are predicted values from thelinear regression of observed GDUs on relative maturity of commercialchecks.

PROT=GRAIN PROTEIN. Absolute value of protein content of the kernel aspredicted by Near-Infrared Transmittance and expressed as a percent ofdry matter.

RTLDG=ROOT LODGING. Root lodging is the percentage of plants that do notroot lodge; plants that lean from the vertical axis at an approximately30° angle or greater would be counted as root lodged.

RTLADV=ROOT LODGING ADVANTAGE. The root lodging advantage of variety #1over variety #2.

SCTGRN=SCATTER GRAIN. A 1 to 9 visual rating indicating the amount ofscatter grain (lack of pollination or kernel abortion) on the ear. Thehigher the score the less scatter grain.

SDGVGR=SEEDLING VIGOR. This is the visual rating (1 to 9) of the amountof vegetative growth after emergence at the seedling stage(approximately five leaves). A higher score indicates better vigor.

SEL IND=SELECTION INDEX. The selection index gives a single measure ofthe hybrid's worth based on information for up to five traits. A maizebreeder may utilize his or her own set of traits for the selectionindex. One of the traits that is almost always included is yield. Theselection index data presented in the tables represent the mean valueaveraged across testing stations.

SLFBLT=SOUTHERN LEAF BLIGHT (Helminthosporium maydis or Bipolarismaydis). A 1 to 9 visual rating indicating the resistance to SouthernLeaf Blight. A higher score indicates a higher resistance.

SOURST=SOUTHERN RUST (Puccinia polysora). A 1 to 9 visual ratingindicating the resistance to Southern Rust. A higher score indicates ahigher resistance.

STAGRN=STAY GREEN. Stay green is the measure of plant health near thetime of black layer formation (physiological maturity). A high scoreindicates better late-season plant health.

STDADV=STALK STANDING ADVANTAGE. The advantage of variety #1 overvariety #2 for the trait STK CNT.

STKCNT=NUMBER OF PLANTS. This is the final stand or number of plants perplot.

STKLDG=STALK LODGING REGULAR. This is the percentage of plants that didnot stalk lodge (stalk breakage) at regular harvest (when grain moistureis between about 20 and 30%) as measured by either natural lodging orpushing the stalks and determining the percentage of plants that breakbelow the ear.

STKLDL=LATE STALK LODGING. This is the percentage of plants that did notstalk lodge (stalk breakage) at or around late season harvest (whengrain moisture is between about 15 and 18%) as measured by eithernatural lodging or pushing the stalks and determining the percentage ofplants that break below the ear.

STKLDS=STALK LODGING SCORE. A plant is considered as stalk lodged if thestalk is broken or crimped between the ear and the ground. This can becaused by any or a combination of the following: strong winds late inthe season, disease pressure within the stalks, ECB damage orgenetically weak stalks. This trait should be taken just prior to or atharvest. Expressed on a 1 to 9 scale with 9 being no lodging.

STLLPN=LATE STALK LODGING. This is the percent of plants that did notstalk lodge (stalk breakage or crimping) at or around late seasonharvest (when grain moisture is below 20%) as measure by either naturallodging or pushing the stalks and determining the percentage of plantsthat break or crimp below the ear.

STLPCN=STALK LODGING REGULAR. This is an estimate of the percentage ofplants that did not stalk lodge (stalk breakage) at regular harvest(when grain moisture is between about 20 and 30%) as measured by eithernatural lodging or pushing the stalks and determining the percentage ofplants that break below the ear.

STRT=GRAIN STARCH. Absolute value of starch content of the kernel aspredicted by Near-Infrared Transmittance and expressed as a percent ofdry matter.

STWWLT=Stewart's Wilt (Erwinia stewartii). A 1 to 9 visual ratingindicating the resistance to Stewart's Wilt. A higher score indicates ahigher resistance.

TASBLS=TASSEL BLAST. A 1 to 9 visual rating was used to measure thedegree of blasting (necrosis due to heat stress) of the tassel at thetime of flowering. A 1 would indicate a very high level of blasting attime of flowering, while a 9 would have no tassel blasting.

TASSZ=TASSEL SIZE. A 1 to 9 visual rating was used to indicate therelative size of the tassel. The higher the rating the larger thetassel.

TAS WT=TASSEL WEIGHT. This is the average weight of a tassel (grams)just prior to pollen shed.

TEXEAR=EAR TEXTURE. A 1 to 9 visual rating was used to indicate therelative hardness (smoothness of crown) of mature grain. A 1 would bevery soft (extreme dent) while a 9 would be very hard (flinty or verysmooth crown).

TILLER=TILLERS. A count of the number of tillers per plot that couldpossibly shed pollen was taken. Data are given as a percentage oftillers: number of tillers per plot divided by number of plants perplot.

TSTWT=TEST WEIGHT (UNADJUSTED). The measure of the weight of the grainin pounds for a given volume (bushel).

TSWADV=TEST WEIGHT ADVANTAGE. The test weight advantage of variety #1over variety #2.

WIN M %=PERCENT MOISTURE WINS.

WIN Y %=PERCENT YIELD WINS.

YIELD BU/A=YIELD (BUSHELS/ACRE). Yield of the grain at harvest inbushels per acre adjusted to 15% moisture.

YLDADV=YIELD ADVANTAGE. The yield advantage of variety #1 over variety#2 as calculated by: YIELD of variety #1−YIELD variety #2=yieldadvantage of variety #1.

YLDSC=YIELD SCORE. A 1 to 9 visual rating was used to give a relativerating for yield based on plot ear piles. The higher the rating thegreater visual yield appearance.

Definitions for Area of Adaptability

When referring to area of adaptability, such term is used to describethe location with the environmental conditions that would be well suitedfor this maize line. Area of adaptability is based on a number offactors, for example: days to maturity, insect resistance, diseaseresistance, and drought resistance. Area of adaptability does notindicate that the maize line will grow in every location within the areaof adaptability or that it will not grow outside the area.

Central Corn Belt: Iowa, Illinois, Indiana

Drylands: non-irrigated areas of North Dakota, South Dakota, Nebraska,Kansas,

Colorado and Oklahoma

Eastern U.S.: Ohio, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, and WestVirginia

North central U.S.: Minnesota and Wisconsin

Northeast: Michigan, New York, Vermont, and Ontario and Quebec Canada

Northwest U.S.: North Dakota, South Dakota, Wyoming, Washington, Oregon,Montana, Utah, and Idaho

South central U.S.: Missouri, Tennessee, Kentucky, Arkansas

Southeast U.S.: North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Florida,Alabama, Mississippi, and Louisiana

Southwest U.S.: Texas, Oklahoma, New Mexico, Arizona

Western U.S.: Nebraska, Kansas, Colorado, and California

Maritime Europe France, Germany, Belgium and Austria

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION AND FURTHER EMBODIMENTS

All tables discussed in the Detailed Description of the Invention andFurther Embodiments section can be found at the end of the section.

Morphological and Physiological Characteristics of PHBAB

Inbred maize line PHBAB is a yellow, flint-dent maize inbred that isbest suited to be used as a male in the production of the firstgeneration F1 maize hybrids. Inbred maize line PHBAB is best adapted tothe Northcentral United States, and can be used to produce hybrids withapproximately 98 maturity based on the Comparative Relative MaturityRating System for harvest moisture of grain. In hybrid combination,inbred PHBAB demonstrates above average stalk strength, above averageroot strength, and below average plant height.

The inbred has shown uniformity and stability within the limits ofenvironmental influence for all the traits as described in the VarietyDescription Information (Table 1, found at the end of the section). Theinbred has been self-pollinated and ear-rowed a sufficient number ofgenerations with careful attention paid to uniformity of plant type toensure the homozygosity and phenotypic stability necessary for use incommercial hybrid seed production. The line has been increased both byhand and in isolated fields with continued observation for uniformity.No variant traits have been observed or are expected in PHBAB.

Inbred maize line PHBAB, being substantially homozygous, can bereproduced by planting seeds of the line, growing the resulting maizeplants under self-pollinating or sib-pollinating conditions withadequate isolation, and harvesting the resulting seed using techniquesfamiliar to the agricultural arts.

Genetic Marker Profile

To select and develop superior inbred parental lines for producinghybrids, it is necessary to identify and select genetically uniqueindividuals that occur in a segregating population. The segregatingpopulation is the result of a combination of crossover events plus theindependent assortment of specific combinations of alleles at many geneloci that results in specific and unique genotypes. The geneticvariation among individual progeny of a breeding cross allows for theidentification of rare and valuable new genotypes. Once identified, itis possible to utilize routine and predictable breeding methods todevelop progeny that retain the rare and valuable new genotypesdeveloped by the initial breeder.

Even if the entire genotypes of the parents of the breeding cross werecharacterized and a desired genotype known, only a few if anyindividuals having the desired genotype may be found in a largesegregating F2 population. It would be very unlikely that a breeder ofordinary skill in the art would be able to recreate the same line twicefrom the very same original parents as the breeder is unable to directhow the genomes combine or how they will interact with the environmentalconditions. This unpredictability results in the expenditure of largeamounts of research resources in the development of a superior new maizeinbred line. Once such a line is developed its value to society issubstantial since it is important to advance the germplasm base as awhole in order to maintain or improve traits such as yield, diseaseresistance, pest resistance and plant performance in extreme weatherconditions. Backcross trait conversions are routinely used to add ormodify one or a few traits of such a line and this further enhances itsvalue and usefulness to society.

Phenotypic traits exhibited by PHBAB can be used to characterize thegenetic contribution of PHBAB to progeny lines developed through the useof PHBAB. Quantitative traits including, but not limited to, yield,maturity, stay green, root lodging, stalk lodging, and early growth aretypically governed by multiple genes at multiple loci. PHBAB progenyplants that retain the same degree of phenotypic expression of thesequantitative traits as PHBAB have received significant genotypic andphenotypic contribution from PHBAB. This characterization is enhancedwhen such quantitative trait is not exhibited in non-PHBAB breedingmaterial used to developed the PHBAB progeny.

In addition to phenotypic observations, a plant can also be identifiedby its genotype. The genotype of a plant can be characterized through agenetic marker profile, which can identify plants of the same variety ora related variety or be used to determine or validate a pedigree.Genetic marker profiles can be obtained by techniques such asRestriction Fragment Length Polymorphisms (RFLPs), Randomly AmplifiedPolymorphic DNAs (RAPDs), Arbitrarily Primed Polymerase Chain Reaction(AP-PCR), DNA Amplification Fingerprinting (DAF), Sequence CharacterizedAmplified Regions (SCARs), Amplified Fragment Length Polymorphisms(AFLPs), Simple Sequence Repeats (SSRs) which are also referred to asMicrosatellites, and Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms (SNPs). Forexample, see Berry, Don, et al., “Assessing Probability of AncestryUsing Simple Sequence Repeat Profiles Applications to Maize Hybrids andInbreds”, Genetics, 2002, 161:813-824, which is incorporated byreference herein.

Particular markers used for these purposes are not limited to the set ofmarkers disclosed herein, but are envisioned to include any type ofmarker and marker profile which provides a means of distinguishingvarieties. In addition to being used for identification of Inbred LinePHBAB, a hybrid produced through the use of PHBAB, and theidentification or verification of pedigree for progeny plants producedthrough the use of PHBAB, the genetic marker profile is also useful infurther breeding and in developing backcross conversions.

Means of performing genetic marker profiles using SSR polymorphisms arewell known in the art. SSRs are genetic markers based on polymorphismsin repeated nucleotide sequences, such as microsatellites. A markersystem based on SSRs can be highly informative in linkage analysisrelative to other marker systems in that multiple alleles may bepresent. Another advantage of this type of marker is that, through useof flanking primers, detection of SSRs can be achieved, for example, bythe polymerase chain reaction (PCR), thereby eliminating the need forlabor-intensive Southern hybridization. The PCR™ detection is done byuse of two oligonucleotide primers flanking the polymorphic segment ofrepetitive DNA. Repeated cycles of heat denaturation of the DNA followedby annealing of the primers to their complementary sequences at lowtemperatures, and extension of the annealed primers with DNA polymerase,comprise the major part of the methodology.

Following amplification, markers can be scored by gel electrophoresis ofthe amplification products. Scoring of marker genotype is based on thesize of the amplified fragment as measured by molecular weight (MW)rounded to the nearest integer. While variation in the primer used or inlaboratory procedures can affect the reported molecular weight, relativevalues should remain constant regardless of the specific primer orlaboratory used. When comparing lines it is preferable if all SSRprofiles are performed in the same lab. The SSR analyses reported hereinwere conducted in-house at Pioneer Hi-Bred. An SSR service is availableto the public on a contractual basis by Paragen (formerly Celera AgGen)in Research Triangle Park, N.C.

Primers used for the SSRs reported herein are publicly available and maybe found in the Maize GDB using the World Wide Web prefix followed bymaizegdb.org (maintained by the USDA Agricultural Research Service), inSharopova et al. (Plant Mol. Biol. 48(5-6):463-481), Lee et al. (PlantMol. Biol. 48(5-6); 453-461), or may be constructed from sequences ifreported herein. Some marker information may be available from Paragen.

Map information is provided by bin number as reported in the Maize GDB.A bin number.xx designation indicates that the bin location on thatchromosome is not known. The bin number digits to the left of decimalpoint represent the chromosome on which such marker is located, and thedigits to the right of the decimal represent the location on suchchromosome. Any bin numbers reported in parenthesis represent other binlocations for such marker that have been reported in the literature oron the Maize GDB. Map positions are also available on the Maize GDB fora variety of different mapping populations.

The SSR profile of Inbred PHBAB can be found in Table 2 found at the endof this section. The profile can be used to identify hybrids comprisingPHBAB as a parent, since such hybrids will comprise two sets of allele,one set of which will be the same alleles as PHBAB. Because an inbred isessentially homozygous at all relevant loci, an inbred should, in almostall cases, have only one allele at each locus. In contrast, a geneticmarker profile of a hybrid should be the sum of those parents, e.g., ifone inbred parent had allele x at a particular locus, and the otherinbred parent had allele y the hybrid is x.y (heterozygous) byinference. Subsequent generations of progeny produced by selection andbreeding are expected to be of genotype x (homozygous), y (homozygous),or x.y (heterozygous) for that locus position. When the F1 plant is usedto produce an inbred, the inbred should be either x or y for thatallele.

Plants and plant parts substantially benefiting from the use of PHBAB intheir development such as PHBAB comprising a backcross conversion,transgene, or genetic sterility factor, may be identified by having amolecular marker profile with a high percent identity to PHBAB.

The SSR profile of PHBAB also can be used to identify essentiallyderived varieties and other progeny lines developed from the use ofPHBAB, as well as cells and other plant parts thereof. Progeny plantsand plant parts produced using PHBAB may be identified by having amolecular marker profile of at least 25%, 30%, 35%, 40%, 45%, 50%, 55%,60%, 61%, 62%, 63%, 64%, 65%, 66%, 67%, 68%, 69%, 70%, 71%, 72%, 73%,74%, 75%, 79%, 80%, 81%, 82%, 83%, 84%, 85%, 86%, 87%, 88%, 89%, 90%,91%, 92%, 93%, 94%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, 99% or 99.5% geneticcontribution from inbred line PHBAB.

Unique SSR Profiles

While determining the SSR genetic marker profile of the inbredsdescribed supra, several unique SSR profile loci sets were or may beidentified through further analysis which did not appear in eitherparent of such inbred.

Such unique SSR profiles may arise during the breeding process fromrecombination or mutation. A combination of several unique allelesprovides a means of identifying an inbred, a hybrid produced from suchinbred, and progeny produced from such inbred. Such progeny may befurther characterized as being within a pedigree distance of PHBAB, suchas within 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5 or less breeding crosses to a maize plantother than PHBAB or a plant that has PHBAB as a parent or otherprogenitor. Further unique molecular profiles may be identified withother molecular tools such as SNPs and RFLPs.

Each genetic marker profile represents a novel grouping of allelesunique to an inbred. Each of the unique SSR profiles that may be foundare referred to as a “loci set”.

Comparing PHBAB to Other Inbreds

A breeder uses various methods to help determine which plants should beselected from the segregating populations and ultimately which inbredlines will be used to develop hybrids for commercialization. In additionto the knowledge of the germplasm and other skills the breeder uses, apart of the selection process is dependent on experimental designcoupled with the use of statistical analysis. Experimental design andstatistical analysis are used to help determine which plants, whichfamily of plants, and finally which inbred lines and hybrid combinationsare significantly better or different for one or more traits ofinterest. Experimental design methods are used to assess error so thatdifferences between two inbred lines or two hybrid lines can be moreaccurately determined. Statistical analysis includes the calculation ofmean values, determination of the statistical significance of thesources of variation, and the calculation of the appropriate variancecomponents. Either a five or a one percent significance level iscustomarily used to determine whether a difference that occurs for agiven trait is real or due to the environment or experimental error. Oneof ordinary skill in the art of plant breeding would know how toevaluate the traits of two plant varieties to determine if there is nosignificant difference between the two traits expressed by thosevarieties. For example, see Fehr, Walt, Principles of CultivarDevelopment, p. 261-286 (1987) which is incorporated herein byreference. Mean trait values may be used to determine whether traitdifferences are significant, and preferably the traits are measured onplants grown under the same environmental conditions.

In Tables 3A-3C, data from traits and characteristics of inbred maizeline PHBAB per se are given and compared to other maize inbred lines andhybrids. The following are the results of these comparisons:

Inbred by Tester comparisons are also used to evaluate two inbreds.Combined inbred by tester comparison results can be used to distinguishtwo inbred lines while also providing information about the combiningability of the inbreds used.

Table 4 compares PHBAB to PH1W2, when each inbred is crossed to the sametester lines.

Methods of Introducing a New Gene or Trait into PHBAB.

Field crops are bred through techniques that take advantage of theplant's method of pollination. A plant is self-pollinated if pollen fromone flower is transferred to the same or another flower of the sameplant. A plant is sib-pollinated when individuals within the same familyor line are used for pollination. A plant is cross-pollinated if thepollen comes from a flower on a different plant from a different familyor line. The terms “cross-pollination” and “out-cross” as used herein donot include self-pollination or sib-pollination.

Maize (zea mays L.), often referred to as corn in the United States, canbe bred by both self-pollination and cross-pollination techniques. Maizehas separate male and female flowers on the same plant, located on thetassel and the ear, respectively. Natural or open pollination occurs inmaize when wind blows pollen from the tassels to the silks that protrudefrom the tops of the ears.

Plants that have been self-pollinated and selected for type for manygenerations become homozygous at almost all gene loci and produce auniform population of true breeding progeny. A cross between twodifferent homozygous lines produces a uniform population of hybridplants that may be heterozygous for many gene loci. A cross of twoplants; each heterozygous at a number of gene loci, will produce apopulation of hybrid plants that differ genetically and will not beuniform.

One possible method of introducing a new gene or trait into PHBAB isproducing a backcross conversion of PHBAB. A backcross conversion occurswhen DNA sequences are introduced through traditional(non-transformation) breeding techniques, such as backcrossing (Hallaueret al., 1988). DNA sequences, whether naturally occurring or transgenes,may be introduced using these traditional breeding techniques. Abackcross conversion may produce a plant with a trait conversion in atleast one or more crosses, including at least 2 crosses, at least 3crosses, at least 4 crosses, and the like. Molecular marker assistedbreeding or selection may be utilized to reduce the number ofbackcrosses necessary to achieve the backcross conversion. The termbackcross conversion is also referred to in the art as a single locusconversion. Reference is made to US 2002/0062506A1 for a detaileddiscussion of single locus conversions and traits that may beincorporated into PHBAB through backcross conversion. Desired traitstransferred through this process include, but are not limited to, waxystarch, grain color, nutritional enhancements, altered fatty acidprofile, increased digestibility, low phytate, industrial enhancements,disease resistance, insect resistance, herbicide resistance and yieldenhancements. The trait of interest is transferred from the donor parentto the recurrent parent, in this case, the maize plant disclosed herein.The backcross conversion may result from either the transfer of adominant allele or a recessive allele. Selection of progeny containingthe trait of interest is accomplished by direct selection for a traitassociated with a dominant allele. Selection of progeny for a trait thatis transferred via a recessive allele, such as the waxy starchcharacteristic, requires growing and selfing the first backcrossgeneration to determine which plants carry the recessive alleles.Recessive traits may require additional progeny testing in successivebackcross generations to determine the presence of the gene of interest.Along with selection for the trait of interest, progeny are selected forthe phenotype of the recurrent parent. While occasionally additionalpolynucleotide sequences or genes are transferred along with thebackcross conversion, this is an insubstantial change to the variety,and backcross conversion lines are easily developed without undueexperimentation. Hallauer et al. (1998, page 472) states that “Forsingle gene traits that are relatively easy to classify, the backcrossmethod is effective and relatively easy to manage.” Poehlman et al.(1995, page 334) states that “A backcross-derived inbred line fits intothe same hybrid combination as the recurrent parent inbred line andcontributes the effect of the additional gene added through thebackcross.”

The advent of new molecular biological techniques has allowed theisolation and characterization of genetic elements with specificfunctions, such as encoding specific protein products. Scientists in thefield of plant biology developed a strong interest in engineering thegenome of plants to contain and express foreign genetic elements, oradditional, or modified versions of native or endogenous geneticelements in order to alter the traits of a plant in a specific manner.Any DNA sequences, whether from a different species or from the samespecies, that are inserted into the genome using transformation arereferred to herein collectively as “transgenes”. A transformed plant maycontain at least one transgene but could contain at least 1, 2, 3, 4, 5,6, 7, 8, 9, 10 and/or no more than 15, 14, 13, 12, 11, 10, 9, 8, 7, 6,5, 4, 3, or 2. Over the last fifteen to twenty years several methods forproducing transgenic plants have been developed, and the presentinvention, in particular embodiments, also relates to transformedversions of the claimed inbred maize line PHBAB as well as hybridcombinations thereof.

Numerous methods for plant transformation have been developed, includingbiological and physical plant transformation protocols. See, forexample, Miki et al., “Procedures for Introducing Foreign DNA intoPlants” in Methods in Plant Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, Glick,B. R. and Thompson, J. E. Eds. (CRC Press, Inc., Boca Raton, 1993) pages67-88 and Armstrong, “The First Decade of Maize Transformation: A Reviewand Future Perspective” (Maydica 44:101-109, 1999). In addition,expression vectors and in vitro culture methods for plant cell or tissuetransformation and regeneration of plants are available. See, forexample, Gruber et al., “Vectors for Plant Transformation” in Methods inPlant Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, Glick, B. R. and Thompson, J.E. Eds. (CRC Press, Inc., Boca Raton, 1993) pages 89-119.

The most prevalent types of plant transformation involve theconstruction of an expression vector. Such a vector comprises a DNAsequence that contains a gene under the control of or operatively linkedto a regulatory element, for example a promoter. The vector may containone or more genes and one or more regulatory elements.

A genetic trait which has been engineered into a particular maize plantusing transformation techniques, could be moved into another line usingtraditional breeding techniques that are well known in the plantbreeding arts. For example, a backcrossing approach is commonly used tomove a transgene from a transformed maize plant to an elite inbred line,and the resulting progeny would then comprise the transgene(s). Also, ifan inbred line was used for the transformation then the transgenicplants could be crossed to a different inbred in order to produce atransgenic hybrid maize plant. As used herein, “crossing” can refer to asimple X by Y cross, or the process of backcrossing, depending on thecontext.

Various genetic elements can be introduced into the plant genome usingtransformation. These elements include but are not limited to genes;coding sequences; inducible, constitutive, and tissue specificpromoters; enhancing sequences; and signal and targeting sequences. Seethe traits, genes and transforming methods listed in U.S. Pat. No.6,118,055, which are herein incorporated by reference.

With transgenic plants according to the present invention, a foreignprotein can be produced in commercial quantities. Thus, techniques forthe selection and propagation of transformed plants, which are wellunderstood in the art, yield a plurality of transgenic plants which areharvested in a conventional manner, and a foreign protein then can beextracted from a tissue of interest or from total biomass. Proteinextraction from plant biomass can be accomplished by known methods whichare discussed, for example, by Heney and Orr, Anal. Biochem. 114: 92-6(1981). In one embodiment, the biomass of interest is seed.

A genetic map can be generated, primarily via conventional RestrictionFragment Length Polymorphisms (RFLP), Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR)analysis, and Simple Sequence Repeats (SSR) and Single NucleotidePolymorphisms (SNP) which identifies the approximate chromosomallocation of the integrated DNA molecule. For exemplary methodologies inthis regard, see Glick and Thompson, METHODS IN PLANT MOLECULAR BIOLOGYAND BIOTECHNOLOGY 269-284 (CRC Press, Boca Raton, 1993).

Wang et al. discuss “Large Scale Identification, Mapping and Genotypingof Single-Nucleotide Polymorphisms in the Human Genome”, Science,280:1077-1082, 1998, and similar capabilities are becoming increasinglyavailable for the corn genome. Map information concerning chromosomallocation is useful for proprietary protection of a subject transgenicplant. If unauthorized propagation is undertaken and crosses made withother germplasm, the map of the integration region can be compared tosimilar maps for suspect plants, to determine if the latter have acommon parentage with the subject plant. Map comparisons would involvehybridizations, RFLP, PCR, SSR and sequencing, all of which areconventional techniques. SNP's may also be used alone or in combinationwith other techniques.

Likewise, by means of the present invention, plants can be geneticallyengineered to express various phenotypes of agronomic interest. Throughthe transformation of maize the expression of genes can be modulated toenhance disease resistance, insect resistance, herbicide resistance,agronomic traits as well as grain quality traits. Transformation canalso be used to insert DNA sequences which control or help controlmale-sterility. DNA sequences native to maize as well as non-native DNAsequences can be transformed into maize and used to modulate levels ofnative or non-native proteins. Anti-sense technology, various promoters,targeting sequences, enhancing sequences, and other DNA sequences can beinserted into the maize genome for the purpose of modulating theexpression of proteins. Exemplary transgenes implicated in this regardinclude, but are not limited to, those categorized below.

1. Transgenes that Confer Resistance to Pests or Disease and thatEncode:

(A) Plant disease resistance genes. Plant defenses are often activatedby specific interaction between the product of a disease resistance gene(R) in the plant and the product of a corresponding avirulence (Avr)gene in the pathogen. A plant variety can be transformed with clonedresistance gene to engineer plants that are resistant to specificpathogen strains. See, for example Jones et al., Science 266: 789 (1994)(cloning of the tomato Cf-9 gene for resistance to Cladosporium fulvum);Martin et al., Science 262: 1432 (1993) (tomato Pto gene for resistanceto Pseudomonas syringae pv. tomato encodes a protein kinase); Mindrinoset al., Cell 78: 1089 (1994) (Arabidopsis RSP2 gene for resistance toPseudomonas syringae). A plant resistant to a disease is one that ismore resistant to a pathogen as compared to the wild type plant.

(B) A Bacillus thuringiensis protein, a derivative thereof or asynthetic polypeptide modeled thereon. See, for example, Geiser et al.,Gene 48: 109 (1986), who disclose the cloning and nucleotide sequence ofa Bt δ-endotoxin gene. Moreover, DNA molecules encoding δ-endotoxingenes can be purchased from American Type Culture Collection (Rockville,Md.), for example, under ATCC Accession Nos. 40098, 67136, 31995 and31998. Other examples of Bacillus thuringiensis transgenes beinggenetically engineered are given in the following patents and hereby areincorporated by reference for this purpose: U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,188,960;5,689,052; 5,880,275; and WO 97/40162.

(C) A lectin. See, for example, the disclosure by Van Damme et al.,Plant Molec. Biol. 24: 25 (1994), who disclose the nucleotide sequencesof several Clivia miniata mannose-binding lectin genes.

(D) A vitamin-binding protein such as avidin. See PCT Application No.US93/06487 the contents of which are hereby incorporated by referencefor this purpose. The application teaches the use of avidin and avidinhomologues as larvicides against insect pests.

(E) An enzyme inhibitor, for example, a protease inhibitor or an amylaseinhibitor. See, for example, Abe et al., J. Biol. Chem. 262: 16793(1987) (nucleotide sequence of rice cysteine proteinase inhibitor), Huubet al., Plant Molec. Biol. 21: 985 (1993) (nucleotide sequence of cDNAencoding tobacco proteinase inhibitor I), and Sumitani et al., Biosci.Biotech. Biochem. 57: 1243 (1993) (nucleotide sequence of Streptomycesnitrosporeus α-amylase inhibitor) and U.S. Pat. No. 5,494,813.

(F) An insect-specific hormone or pheromone such as an ecdysteroid andjuvenile hormone, a variant thereof, a mimetic based thereon, or anantagonist or agonist thereof. See, for example, the disclosure byHammock et al., Nature 344: 458 (1990), of baculovirus expression ofcloned juvenile hormone esterase, an inactivator of juvenile hormone.

(G) An insect-specific peptide or neuropeptide which, upon expression,disrupts the physiology of the affected pest. For example, see thedisclosures of Regan, J. Biol. Chem. 269: 9 (1994) (expression cloningyields DNA coding for insect diuretic hormone receptor), and Pratt etal., Biochem. Biophys. Res. Comm. 163: 1243 (1989) (an allostatin isidentified in Diploptera puntata). See also U.S. Pat. No. 5,266,317 toTomalski et al., who disclose genes encoding insect-specific, paralyticneurotoxins.

(H) An insect-specific venom produced in nature by a snake, a wasp, etc.For example, see Pang et al., Gene 116: 165 (1992), for disclosure ofheterologous expression in plants of a gene coding for a scorpioninsectotoxic peptide.

(I) An enzyme responsible for an hyperaccumulation of a monterpene, asesquiterpene, a steroid, hydroxamic acid, a phenylpropanoid derivativeor another non-protein molecule with insecticidal activity.

(J) An enzyme involved in the modification, including thepost-translational modification, of a biologically active molecule; forexample, a glycolytic enzyme, a proteolytic enzyme, a lipolytic enzyme,a nuclease, a cyclase, a transaminase, an esterase, a hydrolase, aphosphatase, a kinase, a phosphorylase, a polymerase, an elastase, achitinase and a glucanase, whether natural or synthetic. See PCTApplication No. WO 93/02197 in the name of Scott et al., which disclosesthe nucleotide sequence of a callase gene. DNA molecules which containchitinase-encoding sequences can be obtained, for example, from the ATCCunder Accession Nos. 39637 and 67152. See also Kramer et al., InsectBiochem. Molec. Biol. 23: 691 (1993), who teach the nucleotide sequenceof a cDNA encoding tobacco hookworm chitinase, and Kawalleck et al.,Plant Molec. Biol. 21: 673 (1993), who provide the nucleotide sequenceof the parsley ubi4-2 polyubiquitin gene.

(K) A molecule that stimulates signal transduction. For example, see thedisclosure by Botella et al., Plant Molec. Biol. 24: 757 (1994), ofnucleotide sequences for mung bean calmodulin cDNA clones, and Griess etal., Plant Physiol. 104: 1467 (1994), who provide the nucleotidesequence of a maize calmodulin cDNA clone.

(L) A hydrophobic moment peptide. See PCT Application No. WO95/16776(disclosure of peptide derivatives of Tachyplesin which inhibit fungalplant pathogens) and PCT Application No. WO95/18855 (teaches syntheticantimicrobial peptides that confer disease resistance), the respectivecontents of which are hereby incorporated by reference for this purpose.

(M) A membrane permease, a channel former or a channel blocker. Forexample, see the disclosure by Jaynes et al., Plant Sci. 89: 43 (1993),of heterologous expression of a cecropin-β lytic peptide analog torender transgenic tobacco plants resistant to Pseudomonas solanacearum.

(N) A viral-invasive protein or a complex toxin derived therefrom. Forexample, the accumulation of viral coat proteins in transformed plantcells imparts resistance to viral infection and/or disease developmenteffected by the virus from which the coat protein gene is derived, aswell as by related viruses. See Beachy et al., Ann. Rev. Phytopathol.28: 451 (1990). Coat protein-mediated resistance has been conferred upontransformed plants against alfalfa mosaic virus, cucumber mosaic virus,tobacco streak virus, potato virus X, potato virus Y, tobacco etchvirus, tobacco rattle virus and tobacco mosaic virus. Id.

(O) An insect-specific antibody or an immunotoxin derived therefrom.Thus, an antibody targeted to a critical metabolic function in theinsect gut would inactivate an affected enzyme, killing the insect. Cf.Taylor et al., Abstract #497, SEVENTH INTL SYMPOSIUM ON MOLECULARPLANT-MICROBE INTERACTIONS (Edinburgh, Scotland, 1994) (enzymaticinactivation in transgenic tobacco via production of single-chainantibody fragments).

(P) A virus-specific antibody. See, for example, Tavladoraki et al.,Nature 366: 469 (1993), who show that transgenic plants expressingrecombinant antibody genes are protected from virus attack.

(Q) A developmental-arrestive protein produced in nature by a pathogenor a parasite. Thus, fungal endo α-1,4-D-polygalacturonases facilitatefungal colonization and plant nutrient release by solubilizing plantcell wall homo-α-1,4-D-galacturonase. See Lamb et al., Bio/Technology10: 1436 (1992). The cloning and characterization of a gene whichencodes a bean endopolygalacturonase-inhibiting protein is described byToubart et al., Plant J. 2: 367 (1992).

(R) A developmental-arrestive protein produced in nature by a plant. Forexample, Logemann et al., Bio/Technology 10: 305 (1992), have shown thattransgenic plants expressing the barley ribosome-inactivating gene havean increased resistance to fungal disease.

(S) Genes involved in the Systemic Acquired Resistance (SAR) Responseand/or the pathogenesis related genes. Briggs, S., Current Biology, 5(2)(1995).

(T) Antifungal genes (Cornelissen and Melchers, Pl. Physiol.101:709-712, (1993) and Parijs et al., Planta 183:258-264, (1991) andBushnell et al., Can. J. of Plant Path. 20(2):137-149 (1998).

2. Transgenes that Confer Resistance to a Herbicide, for Example:

(A) A herbicide that inhibits the growing point or meristem, such as animidazolinone or a sulfonylurea. Exemplary genes in this category codefor mutant ALS and AHAS enzyme as described, for example, by Lee et al.,EMBO J. 7: 1241 (1988), and Miki et al., Theor. Appl. Genet. 80: 449(1990), respectively. See also, U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,605,011; 5,013,659;5,141,870; 5,767,361; 5,731,180; 5,304,732; 4,761,373; 5,331,107;5,928,937; and 5,378,824; and international Publication No. WO 96/33270,which are incorporated herein by reference for this purpose.

(B) Glyphosate (resistance imparted by mutant5-enolpyruvl-3-phosphikimate synthase (EPSP) and aroA genes,respectively) and other phosphono compounds such as glufosinate(phosphinothricin acetyl transferase (PAT) and Streptomyceshygroscopicus phosphinothricin acetyl transferase (bar) genes), andpyridinoxy or phenoxy proprionic acids and cycloshexones (ACCaseinhibitor-encoding genes). See, for example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,940,835 toShah et al., which discloses the nucleotide sequence of a form of EPSPSwhich can confer glyphosate resistance. U.S. Pat. No. 5,627,061 to Barryet al. also describes genes encoding EPSPS enzymes. See also U.S. Pat.Nos. 6,248,876 B1; 6,040,497; 5,804,425; 5,633,435; 5,145,783;4,971,908; 5,312,910; 5,188,642; 4,940,835; 5,866,775; 6,225,114 B1;6,130,366; 5,310,667; 4,535,060; 4,769,061; 5,633,448; 5,510,471; Re.36,449; RE 37,287 E; and 5,491,288; and international publication nos.WO 97/04103; WO 97/04114; WO 00/66746; WO 01/66704; WO 00/66747 and WO00/66748, which are incorporated herein by reference for this purpose.Glyphosate resistance is also imparted to plants that express a genethat encodes a glyphosate oxido-reductase enzyme as described more fullyin U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,776,760 and 5,463,175, which are incorporated hereinby reference for this purpose. In addition glyphosate resistance can beimparted to plants by the over expression of genes encoding glyphosateN-acetyltransferase. See, for example, U.S. Application Ser. Nos.60/244,385; 60/377,175 and 60/377,719. A DNA molecule encoding a mutantaroA gene can be obtained under ATCC Accession No. 39256, and thenucleotide sequence of the mutant gene is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No.4,769,061 to Comai. European Patent Application No. 0 333 033 to Kumadaet al. and U.S. Pat. No. 4,975,374 to Goodman et al. disclose nucleotidesequences of glutamine synthetase genes which confer resistance toherbicides such as L-phosphinothricin. The nucleotide sequence of aphosphinothricin-acetyl-transferase gene is provided in European PatentNo. 0 242 246 and 0 242 236 to Leemans et al. De Greef et al.,Bio/Technology 7: 61 (1989), describe the production of transgenicplants that express chimeric bar genes coding for phosphinothricinacetyl transferase activity. See also, U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,969,213;5,489,520; 5,550,318; 5,874,265; 5,919,675; 5,561,236; 5,648,477;5,646,024; 6,177,616 B1; and 5,879,903, which are incorporated herein byreference for this purpose. Exemplary of genes conferring resistance tophenoxy proprionic acids and cycloshexones, such as sethoxydim andhaloxyfop, are the Acc1-S1, Acc1-S2 and Acc1-S3 genes described byMarshall et al., Theor. Appl. Genet. 83: 435 (1992).

(C) A herbicide that inhibits photosynthesis, such as a triazine (psbAand gs+ genes) and a benzonitrile (nitrilase gene). Przibilla et al.,Plant Cell 3: 169 (1991), describe the transformation of Chlamydomonaswith plasmids encoding mutant psbA genes. Nucleotide sequences fornitrilase genes are disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,810,648 to Stalker, andDNA molecules containing these genes are available under ATCC AccessionNos. 53435, 67441 and 67442. Cloning and expression of DNA coding for aglutathione S-transferase is described by Hayes et al., Biochem. J. 285:173 (1992).

(D) Acetohydroxy acid synthase, which has been found to make plants thatexpress this enzyme resistant to multiple types of herbicides, has beenintroduced into a variety of plants (see, e.g., Hattori et al. (1995)Mol Gen Genet 246:419). Other genes that confer tolerance to herbicidesinclude: a gene encoding a chimeric protein of rat cytochrome P4507A1and yeast NADPH-cytochrome P450 oxidoreductase (Shiota et al. (1994)Plant Physiol 106:17), genes for glutathione reductase and superoxidedismutase (Aono et al. (1995) Plant Cell Physiol 36:1687, and genes forvarious phosphotransferases (Datta et al. (1992) Plant Mol Biol 20:619).

(E) Protoporphyrinogen oxidase (protox) is necessary for the productionof chlorophyll, which is necessary for all plant survival. The protoxenzyme serves as the target for a variety of herbicidal compounds. Theseherbicides also inhibit growth of all the different species of plantspresent, causing their total destruction. The development of plantscontaining altered protox activity which are resistant to theseherbicides are described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,288,306 B1; 6,282,837 B1;and 5,767,373; and international Publication No. WO 01/12825, which areincorporated herein by reference for this purpose.

3. Transgenes that Confer or Contribute to a Grain Trait, Such as:

(A) Modified fatty acid metabolism, for example, by transforming a plantwith an antisense gene of stearoyl-ACP desaturase to increase stearicacid content of the plant. See Knultzon et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci.USA 89: 2624 (1992).

(B) Decreased phytate content

-   -   (1) Introduction of a phytase-encoding gene would enhance        breakdown of phytate, adding more free phosphate to the        transformed plant. For example, see Van Hartingsveldt et al.,        Gene 127: 87 (1993), for a disclosure of the nucleotide sequence        of an Aspergillus niger phytase gene.    -   (2) A gene could be introduced that reduces phytate content. In        maize, this, for example, could be accomplished, by cloning and        then reintroducing DNA associated with the single allele which        is responsible for maize mutants characterized by low levels of        phytic acid. See Raboy et al., Maydica 35: 383 (1990).

(C) Modified carbohydrate composition effected, for example, bytransforming plants with a gene coding for an enzyme that alters thebranching pattern of starch. See Shiroza et al., J. Bacteriol. 170: 810(1988) (nucleotide sequence of Streptococcus mutans fructosyltransferasegene), Steinmetz et al., Mol. Gen. Genet. 200: 220 (1985) (nucleotidesequence of Bacillus subtilis levansucrase gene), Pen et al.,Bio/Technology 10: 292 (1992) (production of transgenic plants thatexpress Bacillus licheniformis α-amylase), Elliot et al., Plant Molec.Biol. 21: 515 (1993) (nucleotide sequences of tomato invertase genes),Søgaard et al., J. Biol. Chem. 268: 22480 (1993) (site-directedmutagenesis of barley α-amylase gene), and Fisher et al., Plant Physiol.102: 1045 (1993) (maize endosperm starch branching enzyme II).

(D) Elevated oleic acid via FAD-2 gene modification and/or decreasedlinolenic acid via FAD-3 gene modification (see U.S. Pat. Nos.6,063,947; 6,323,392; and WO 93/11245).

4. Genes that Control Male-Sterility

(A) Introduction of a deacetylase gene under the control of atapetum-specific promoter and with the application of the chemicalN-Ac-PPT (WO 01/29237).

(B) Introduction of various stamen-specific promoters (WO 92/13956, WO92/13957).

(C) Introduction of the barnase and the barstar gene (Paul et al. PlantMol. Biol. 19:611-622, 1992).

PHBAB Inbreds that are Male Sterile

Hybrid seed production requires elimination or inactivation of pollenproduced by the female inbred parent. Incomplete removal or inactivationof the pollen provides the potential for self-pollination. A reliablemethod of controlling male fertility in plants offers the opportunityfor improved plant breeding. This is especially true for development ofmaize hybrids, which relies upon some sort of male sterility system. Itshould be understood that PHBAB can be produced in a male-sterile form.There are several ways in which a maize plant can be manipulated so thatit is male sterile. These include use of manual or mechanicalemasculation (or detasseling), use of one or more genetic factors thatconfer male sterility, including cytoplasmic genetic and/or nucleargenetic male sterility, use of gametocides and the like. A male sterileinbred designated PHBAB may include one or more genetic factors, whichresult in cytoplasmic genetic and/or nuclear genetic male sterility.Such embodiments are also within the scope of the present claims. Theterm manipulated to be male sterile refers to the use of any availabletechniques to produce a male sterile version of maize line PHBAB. Themale sterility may be either partial or complete male sterility.

Hybrid maize seed is often produced by a male sterility systemincorporating manual or mechanical detasseling. Alternate strips of twomaize inbreds are planted in a field, and the pollen-bearing tassels areremoved from one of the inbreds (female). Provided that there issufficient isolation from sources of foreign maize pollen, the ears ofthe detasseled inbred will be fertilized only from the other inbred(male), and the resulting seed is therefore hybrid and will form hybridplants.

The laborious detasseling process can be avoided by using cytoplasmicmale-sterile (CMS) inbreds. Plants of a CMS inbred are male sterile as aresult of factors resulting from the cytoplasmic, as opposed to thenuclear, genome. Thus, this characteristic is inherited exclusivelythrough the female parent in maize plants, since only the femaleprovides cytoplasm to the fertilized seed. CMS plants are fertilizedwith pollen from another inbred that is not male-sterile. Pollen fromthe second inbred may or may not contribute genes that make the hybridplants male-fertile, and either option may be preferred depending on theintended use of the hybrid. The same hybrid seed, a portion producedfrom detasseled fertile maize and a portion produced using the CMSsystem, can be blended to insure that adequate pollen loads areavailable for fertilization when the hybrid plants are grown.

There are several methods of conferring genetic male sterilityavailable, such as multiple mutant genes at separate locations withinthe genome that confer male sterility, as disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos.4,654,465 and 4,727,219 to Brar et al. and chromosomal translocations asdescribed by Patterson in U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,861,709 and 3,710,511. Inaddition to these methods, Albertsen et al., of Pioneer Hi-Bred, U.S.Pat. No. 5,432,068, have developed a system of nuclear male sterilitywhich includes: identifying a gene which is critical to male fertility;silencing this native gene which is critical to male fertility; removingthe native promoter from the essential male fertility gene and replacingit with an inducible promoter; inserting this genetically engineeredgene back into the plant; and thus creating a plant that is male sterilebecause the inducible promoter is not “on” resulting in the malefertility gene not being transcribed. Fertility is restored by inducing,or turning “on”, the promoter, which in turn allows the gene thatconfers male fertility to be transcribed.

These, and the other methods of conferring genetic male sterility in theart, each possess their own benefits and drawbacks. Some other methodsuse a variety of approaches such as delivering into the plant a geneencoding a cytotoxic substance associated with a male tissue specificpromoter or an antisense system in which a gene critical to fertility isidentified and an antisense to that gene is inserted in the plant (see:Fabinjanski, et al. EPO 89/3010153.8 Publication No. 329,308 and PCTApplication No. PCT/CA90/00037 published as WO 90/08828).

Another system for controlling male sterility makes use of gametocides.Gametocides are not a genetic system, but rather a topical applicationof chemicals. These chemicals affect cells that are critical to malefertility. The application of these chemicals affects fertility in theplants only for the growing season in which the gametocide is applied(see Carlson, Glenn R., U.S. Pat. No. 4,936,904). Application of thegametocide, timing of the application and genotype specificity oftenlimit the usefulness of the approach and it is not appropriate in allsituations.

Incomplete control over male fertility may result in self-pollinatedseed being unintentionally harvested and packaged with hybrid seed. Themale parent is grown next to the female parent in the field, so there isthe very low probability that the male selfed seed could beunintentionally harvested and packaged with the hybrid seed. Once theseed from the hybrid bag is planted, it is possible to identify andselect these self-pollinated plants. These self-pollinated plants willbe genetically equivalent to one of the inbred lines used to produce thehybrid. Though the possibility of inbreds being included hybrid seedbags exists, the occurrence is very low because much care is taken toavoid such inclusions. It is worth noting that hybrid seed is sold togrowers for the production of grain or forage and not for breeding orseed production.

These self-pollinated plants can be identified and selected by oneskilled in the art due to their decreased vigor when compared to thehybrid. Inbreds are identified by their less vigorous appearance forvegetative and/or reproductive characteristics, including shorter plantheight, small ear size, ear and kernel shape, cob color, or othercharacteristics.

Identification of these self-pollinated lines can also be accomplishedthrough molecular marker analyses. See, “The Identification of FemaleSelfs in Hybrid Maize: A Comparison Using Electrophoresis andMorphology”, Smith, J. S. C. and Wych, R. D., Seed Science andTechnology 14, pp. 1-8 (1995), the disclosure of which is expresslyincorporated herein by reference. Through these technologies, thehomozygosity of the self pollinated line can be verified by analyzingallelic composition at various loci along the genome. Those methodsallow for rapid identification of the invention disclosed herein. Seealso, “Identification of Atypical Plants in Hybrid Maize Seed byPostcontrol and Electrophoresis” Sarca, V. et al., Probleme de GeneticaTeoritica si Aplicata Vol. 20 (1) p. 29-42.

Development of Maize Hybrids Using PHBAB

A single cross maize hybrid results from the cross of two inbred lines,each of which has a genotype that complements the genotype of the other.The hybrid progeny of the first generation is designated F1. In thedevelopment of commercial hybrids in a maize plant breeding program,only the F1 hybrid plants are sought. F1 hybrids are more vigorous thantheir inbred parents. This hybrid vigor, or heterosis, can be manifestedin many polygenic traits, including increased vegetative growth andincreased yield.

PHBAB may be used to produce hybrid maize seed. One such embodiment isthe method of crossing inbred maize line PHBAB with another maize plant,such as a different maize inbred line, to form a first generation F1hybrid plant. The first generation F1 hybrid plant produced by thismethod is also an embodiment of the invention. This first generation F1plant will comprise an essentially complete set of the alleles of inbredline PHBAB. One of ordinary skill in the art can utilize either breederbooks or molecular methods to identify a particular F1 hybrid plantproduced using inbred line PHBAB, and any such individual plant is alsoencompassed by this invention. These embodiments also cover use of thesemethods with transgenic, male sterile and/or backcross conversions ofinbred line PHBAB.

The development of a maize hybrid in a maize plant breeding programinvolves three steps: (1) the selection of plants from various germplasmpools for initial breeding crosses; (2) the selfing of the selectedplants from the breeding crosses for several generations to produce aseries of inbred lines, which, although different from each other, breedtrue and are highly uniform; and (3) crossing the selected inbred lineswith different inbred lines to produce the hybrids. During theinbreeding process in maize, the vigor of the lines decreases. Vigor isrestored when two different inbred lines are crossed to produce thehybrid. An important consequence of the homozygosity and homogeneity ofthe inbred lines is that the hybrid between a defined pair of inbredswill always be the same. Once the inbreds that give a superior hybridhave been identified, the hybrid seed can be reproduced indefinitely aslong as the homogeneity of the inbred parents is maintained.

PHBAB may be used to produce a single cross hybrid, a three-way hybridor a double cross hybrid. A single cross hybrid is produced when twoinbred lines are crossed to produce the F1 progeny. A double crosshybrid is produced from four inbred lines crossed in pairs (A×B and C×D)and then the two F1 hybrids are crossed again (A×B)×(C×D). A three-waycross hybrid is produced from three inbred lines where two of the inbredlines are crossed (A×B) and then the resulting F1 hybrid is crossed withthe third inbred (A×B)×C. Much of the hybrid vigor and uniformityexhibited by F1 hybrids is lost in the next generation (F2).Consequently, seed produced from hybrids is not used for planting stock.

Inbred by Tester Comparisons

Combining ability of a line, as well as the performance of the line perse, is a factor in the selection of improved maize inbreds. Combiningability refers to a line's contribution as a parent when crossed withother lines to form hybrids. The hybrids formed for the purpose ofselecting superior lines are designated as test crosses. One way ofmeasuring combining ability is by using values based in part on theoverall mean of a number of test crosses. This mean may be adjusted toremove environmental effects and it is adjusted for known geneticrelationships among the lines.

Combining Ability Data

A general combining ability report for inbred PHBAB is provided in Table5. Table 5 shows the overall mean values of traits from numerous F1lines produced by crosses between inbred PHBAB and other maize lines.Table 5 demonstrates that inbred PHBAB shows good general combiningability for hybrid production.

A specific combining ability report for inbred PHBAB is provided inTable 5A. Table 5A shows the mean values of traits from individual F1lines produced by crosses between inbred PHBAB and other maize lines.

Hybrid Comparisons

The results in Table 6A-6C compare a hybrid for which inbred PHBAB is aparent and other hybrids.

Using PHBAB to Develop Other Maize Inbreds

Inbred maize lines are typically developed for use in the production ofhybrid maize lines. However, PHBAB could also be used to derive newmaize inbred lines. Inbred maize lines preferably should be highlyhomogeneous, substantially homozygous and reproducible to be useful asparents of commercial hybrids. Plant breeding techniques known in theart and used in a maize plant breeding program include, but are notlimited to, recurrent selection, mass selection, bulk selection, massselection, backcrossing, pedigree breeding, open pollination breeding,restriction fragment length polymorphism enhanced selection, geneticmarker enhanced selection, making double haploids, and transformation.Often combinations of these techniques are used. The development ofmaize hybrids in a maize plant breeding program requires, in general,the development of homozygous inbred lines, the crossing of these lines,and the evaluation of the crosses. There are many analytical methodsavailable to evaluate the result of a cross. The oldest and mosttraditional method of analysis is the observation of phenotypic traits.Alternatively, the genotype of a plant can be examined.

Using PHBAB in a Breeding Program

This invention is directed to methods for producing a maize plant bycrossing a first parent maize plant with a second parent maize plantwherein either the first or second parent maize plant is an inbred maizeplant of the line PHBAB. Thus, any such methods using the inbred maizeline PHBAB are part of this invention: selfing, sibbing, backcrosses,mass selection, bulk selection, hybrid production, crosses topopulations, and the like. All plants produced using inbred maize linePHBAB as a parent are within the scope of this invention, includingplants essentially derived from inbred maize line PHBAB, as such term isdefined in 7 U.S.C. § 2104(a)(3) of the Plant Variety Protection Act,which definition is hereby incorporated by reference. This also includesprogeny plants and parts thereof with at least one ancestor that isPHBAB, and more specifically, where the pedigree of the progeny includes1, 2, 3, 4, and/or 5 or less breeding crosses to a maize plant otherthan PHBAB or a plant that has PHBAB as a parent or other progenitor.All breeders of ordinary skill in the art maintain pedigree records oftheir breeding programs. These pedigree records contain a detaileddescription of the breeding process, including a listing of all parentallines used in the breeding process and information on how such line wasused. Thus, a breeder would know if PHBAB were used in the developmentof a progeny line, and would also know how many crosses to a line otherthan PHBAB or line with PHBAB as a parent or other progenitor were madein the development of any progeny line. The inbred maize line may alsobe used in crosses with other, different, maize inbreds to produce firstgeneration (F1) maize hybrid seeds and plants with superiorcharacteristics.

Pedigree Breeding

Pedigree breeding starts with the crossing of two genotypes, such asPHBAB and one other elite inbred line having one or more desirablecharacteristics that is lacking or which complements PHBAB. If the twooriginal parents do not provide all the desired characteristics, othersources can be included in the breeding population. In the pedigreemethod, superior plants are selfed and selected in successive filialgenerations. In the succeeding filial generations the heterozygouscondition gives way to homogeneous lines as a result of self-pollinationand selection. Typically in the pedigree method of breeding, five ormore successive filial generations of selfing and selection ispracticed: F1→F2; F2→F3: F3→F4; F4→F₅, etc. After a sufficient amount ofinbreeding, successive filial generations will serve to increase seed ofthe developed inbred. Preferably, an inbred line comprises homozygousalleles at about 95% or more of its loci.

Backcrossing

In addition to being used to create a backcross conversion, backcrossingcan also be used to modify PHBAB and a hybrid that is made using themodified PHBAB. As discussed previously, backcrossing can be used totransfer a specific desirable trait from one line, the donor parent, toan inbred called the recurrent parent which has overall good agronomiccharacteristics yet lacks that desirable trait. This transfer of thedesirable trait into an inbred with overall good agronomiccharacteristics can be accomplished by first crossing a recurrent parentand a donor parent (non-recurrent parent). The progeny of this cross isthen mated back to the recurrent parent followed by selection in theresultant progeny for the desired trait to be transferred from thenon-recurrent parent as well as selection for the characteristics of therecurrent parent. Typically after four or more backcross generationswith selection for the desired trait and the characteristics of therecurrent parent, the progeny will contain essentially all genes of therecurrent parent except for the genes controlling the desired trait.However, the number of backcross generations can be less if molecularmarkers are used during selection or elite germplasm is used as thedonor parent. The last backcross generation is then selfed to give purebreeding progeny for the gene(s) being transferred. In addition to theabove described use, backcrossing can be used in conjunction withpedigree breeding to develop new inbred lines. For example, an F1 can becreated that is backcrossed to one of its parent lines to create a BC1,BC2, BC3, etc. Progeny are selfed and selected so that the newlydeveloped inbred has many of the attributes of the recurrent parent andsome of the desired attributes of the non-recurrent parent. Thisapproach leverages the value and strengths of the recurrent parent foruse in new hybrids and breeding, and has very significant value for abreeder.

Recurrent Selection and Mass Selection

Recurrent selection is a method used in a plant breeding program toimprove a population of plants. PHBAB can be used in a recurrentselection program to improve the population. The method entailsindividual plants cross pollinating with each other to form progenywhich are then grown. The superior progeny are then selected by anynumber of methods, which include individual plant, half-sib progeny,full-sib progeny, selfed progeny and topcrossing. The selected progenyare cross pollinated with each other to form progeny for anotherpopulation. This population is planted and again superior plants areselected to cross pollinate with each other. Recurrent selection is acyclical process and therefore can be repeated as many times as desired.The objective of recurrent selection is to improve the traits of apopulation. The improved population can then be used as a source ofbreeding material to obtain inbred lines to be used in hybrids or usedas parents for a synthetic cultivar. A synthetic cultivar is theresultant progeny formed by the intercrossing of several selectedinbreds. Mass selection is a useful technique when used in conjunctionwith molecular marker enhanced selection. In mass selection seeds fromindividuals are selected based on phenotype. These selected seeds arethen bulked and used to grow the next generation. Similarly, bulkselection requires growing a population of plants in a bulk plot,allowing the plants to self-pollinate, harvesting the seed in bulk andthen using a sample of the seed harvested in bulk to plant the nextgeneration. Also, instead of directed pollination, open pollinationcould be used as part of the breeding program.

Mutation Breeding

Mutation breeding is one of many methods that could be used to introducenew traits into PHBAB. Mutations that occur spontaneously or areartificially induced can be useful sources of variability for a plantbreeder. The goal of artificial mutagenesis is to increase the rate ofmutation for a desired characteristic. Mutation rates can be increasedby many different means including temperature, long-term seed storage,tissue culture conditions, radiation; such as X-rays, Gamma rays (e.g.cobalt 60 or cesium 137), neutrons, (product of nuclear fission byuranium 235 in an atomic reactor), Beta radiation (emitted fromradioisotopes such as phosphorus 32 or carbon 14), or ultravioletradiation (preferably from 2500 to 2900 nm), or chemical mutagens (suchas base analogues (5-bromo-uracil), related compounds (8-ethoxycaffeine), antibiotics (streptonigrin), alkylating agents (sulfurmustards, nitrogen mustards, epoxides, ethylenamines, sulfates,sulfonates, sulfones, lactones), azide, hydroxylamine, nitrous acid, oracridines. Once a desired trait is observed through mutagenesis thetrait may then be incorporated into existing germplasm by traditionalbreeding techniques. Details of mutation breeding can be found in“Principles of Cultivar Development” Fehr, 1993 Macmillan PublishingCompany the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.

Breeding with Molecular Markers

Molecular markers, which includes markers identified through the use oftechniques such as Isozyme Electrophoresis, Restriction Fragment LengthPolymorphisms (RFLPs), Randomly Amplified Polymorphic DNAs (RAPDs),Arbitrarily Primed Polymerase Chain Reaction (AP-PCR), DNA AmplificationFingerprinting (DAF), Sequence Characterized Amplified Regions (SCARs),Amplified Fragment Length Polymorphisms (AFLPs), Simple Sequence Repeats(SSRs) and Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms (SNPs), may be used in plantbreeding methods utilizing PHBAB.

Isozyme Electrophoresis and RFLPs as discussed in Lee, M., “Inbred Linesof Maize and Their Molecular Markers,” The Maize Handbook,(Springer-Verlag, New York, Inc. 1994, at 423-432) incorporated hereinby reference for this purpose, have been widely used to determinegenetic composition. Isozyme Electrophoresis has a relatively low numberof available markers and a low number of allelic variants among maizeinbreds. RFLPs allow more discrimination because they have a higherdegree of allelic variation in maize and a larger number of markers canbe found. Both of these methods have been eclipsed by SSRs as discussedin Smith et al., “An evaluation of the utility of SSR loci as molecularmarkers in maize (Zea mays L.): comparisons with data from RFLPs andpedigree”, Theoretical and Applied Genetics (1997) vol. 95 at 163-173and by Pejic et al., “Comparative analysis of genetic similarity amongmaize inbreds detected by RFLPs, RAPDs, SSRs, and AFLPs,” Theoreticaland Applied Genetics (1998) at 1248-1255 incorporated herein byreference. SSR technology is more efficient and practical to use thanRFLPs; more marker loci can be routinely used and more alleles permarker locus can be found using SSRs in comparison to RFLPs. SingleNucleotide Polymorphisms may also be used to identify the unique geneticcomposition of the invention and progeny lines retaining that uniquegenetic composition. Various molecular marker techniques may be used incombination to enhance overall resolution.

Maize DNA molecular marker linkage maps have been rapidly constructedand widely implemented in genetic studies. One such study is describedin Boppenmaier, et al., “Comparisons among strains of inbreds forRFLPs”, Maize Genetics Cooperative Newsletter, 65:1991, pg. 90, isincorporated herein by reference.

One use of molecular markers is Quantitative Trait Loci (QTL) mapping.QTL mapping is the use of markers, which are known to be closely linkedto alleles that have measurable effects on a quantitative trait.Selection in the breeding process is based upon the accumulation ofmarkers linked to the positive effecting alleles and/or the eliminationof the markers linked to the negative effecting alleles from the plant'sgenome.

Molecular markers can also be used during the breeding process for theselection of qualitative traits. For example, markers closely linked toalleles or markers containing sequences within the actual alleles ofinterest can be used to select plants that contain the alleles ofinterest during a backcrossing breeding program. The markers can also beused to select for the genome of the recurrent parent and against thegenome of the donor parent. Using this procedure can minimize the amountof genome from the donor parent that remains in the selected plants. Itcan also be used to reduce the number of crosses back to the recurrentparent needed in a backcrossing program. The use of molecular markers inthe selection process is often called genetic marker enhanced selection.

Production of Double Haploids

The production of double haploids can also be used for the developmentof inbreds in the breeding program. An F1 hybrid for which PHBAB is aparent can be used to produce double haploid plants. Double haploids areproduced by the doubling of a set of chromosomes (1N) from aheterozygous plant to produce a completely homozygous individual. Forexample, see Wan et al., “Efficient Production of Doubled Haploid PlantsThrough Colchicine Treatment of Anther-Derived Maize Callus”,Theoretical and Applied Genetics, 77:889-892, 1989. This can beadvantageous because the process omits the generations of selfing neededto obtain a homozygous plant from a heterozygous source.

Use of PHBAB in Tissue Culture

This invention is also directed to the use of PHBAB in tissue culture.As used herein, the term “tissue culture” includes plant protoplasts,plant cell tissue culture, cultured microspores, plant calli, plantclumps, and the like. As used herein, phrases such as “growing the seed”or “grown from the seed” include embryo rescue, isolation of cells fromseed for use in tissue culture, as well as traditional growing methods.

Duncan, Williams, Zehr, and Widholm, Planta (1985) 165:322-332 reflectsthat 97% of the plants cultured that produced callus were capable ofplant regeneration. Subsequent experiments with both inbreds and hybridsproduced 91% regenerable callus that produced plants. In a further studyin 1988, Songstad, Duncan & Widholm in Plant Cell Reports (1988),7:262-265 reports several media additions that enhance regenerability ofcallus of two inbred lines. Other published reports also indicated that“nontraditional” tissues are capable of producing somatic embryogenesisand plant regeneration. K. P. Rao, et al., Maize Genetics CooperationNewsletter, 60:64-65 (1986), refers to somatic embryogenesis from glumecallus cultures and B. V. Conger, et al., Plant Cell Reports, 6:345-347(1987) indicates somatic embryogenesis from the tissue cultures of maizeleaf segments. Thus, it is clear from the literature that the state ofthe art is such that these methods of obtaining plants are, and were,“conventional” in the sense that they are routinely used and have a veryhigh rate of success.

Tissue culture of maize, including tassel/anther culture, is describedin U.S. 2002/0062506A1 and European Patent Application, publication160,390, each of which are incorporated herein by reference for thispurpose. Maize tissue culture procedures are also described in Green andRhodes, “Plant Regeneration in Tissue is Culture of Maize,” Maize forBiological Research (Plant Molecular Biology Association,Charlottesville, Va. 1982, at 367-372) and in Duncan, et al., “TheProduction of Callus Capable of Plant Regeneration from Immature Embryosof Numerous Zea Mays Genotypes,” 165 Planta 322-332 (1985). Thus,another aspect of this invention is to provide cells which upon growthand differentiation produce maize plants having the genotype and/orphysiological and morphological characteristics of inbred line PHBAB.

Progeny of the breeding methods described herein may be characterized inany number of ways, such as by traits retained in the progeny, pedigreeand/or molecular markers. Using the breeding methods described herein,one can develop individual plants, plant cells, and populations ofplants that retain at least 25%, 30%, 35%, 40%, 45%, 50%, 55%, 60%, 61%,62%, 63%, 64%, 65%, 66%, 67%, 68%, 69%, 70%, 71%, 72%, 73%, 74%, 75%,76%, 77%, 78%, 79%, 80%, 81%, 82%, 83%, 84%, 85%, 86%, 87%, 88%, 89%,90%, 91%, 92%, 93%, 94%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, 99% or 99.5% geneticcontribution from inbred line PHBAB. In pedigree analysis the percentagegenetic contribution may not be actually known, but on average 50% ofthe starting germplasm would be expected to be passed to the progenyline after one cross to another line, 25% after another cross to adifferent line, and so on. With backcrossing, the expected contributionof PHBAB after 2, 3, 4 and 5 doses (or 1, 2, 3 and 4 backcrosses) wouldbe 75%, 87.5%, 93.75% and 96.875% respectively. Actual geneticcontribution may be much higher than the genetic contribution expectedby pedigree, especially if molecular markers are used in selection.Molecular markers could also be used to confirm and/or determine thepedigree of the progeny line.

Specific methods and products produced using inbred line PHBAB in plantbreeding are discussed in the following sections. The methods outlinedare described in detail by way of illustration and example for purposesof clarity and understanding. However, it will be obvious that certainchanges and modifications may be practiced within the scope of theinvention.

One method for producing a line derived from inbred line PHBAB is asfollows. One of ordinary skill in the art would produce or obtain a seedfrom the cross between inbred line PHBAB and another variety of maize,such as an elite inbred variety. The F1 seed derived from this crosswould be grown to form a homogeneous population. The F1 seed wouldcontain essentially all of the alleles from variety PHBAB andessentially all of the alleles from the other maize variety. The F1nuclear genome would be made-up of 50% variety PHBAB and 50% of theother elite variety. The F1 seed would be grown and allowed to self,thereby forming F2 seed. On average the F2 seed would have derived 50%of its alleles from variety PHBAB and 50% from the other maize variety,but many individual plants from the population would have a greaterpercentage of their alleles derived from PHBAB (Wang J. and R. Bernardo,2000, Crop Sci. 40:659-665 and Bernardo, R. and A. L. Kahler, 2001,Theor. Appl. Genet 102:986-992). The molecular markers of PHBAB could beused to select and retain those lines with high similarity to PHBAB. TheF2 seed would be grown and selection of plants would be made based onvisual observation, markers and/or measurement of traits. The traitsused for selection may be any PHBAB trait described in thisspecification, including the inbred per se maize PHBAB traits describedherein under the detailed description of inbred PHBAB. Such traits mayalso be the good general or specific combining ability of PHBAB,including its ability to produce hybrids with the approximate maturityand/or hybrid combination traits described herein in under the detaileddescription of inbred PHBAB. The PHBAB progeny plants that exhibit oneor more of the desired PHBAB traits, such as those listed herein, wouldbe selected and each plant would be harvested separately. This F3 seedfrom each plant would be grown in individual rows and allowed to self.Then selected rows or plants from the rows would be harvestedindividually. The selections would again be based on visual observation,markers and/or measurements for desirable traits of the plants, such asone or more of the desirable PHBAB traits listed herein. The process ofgrowing and selection would be repeated any number of times until aPHBAB progeny inbred plant is obtained. The PHBAB progeny inbred plantwould contain desirable traits derived from inbred plant PHBAB, some ofwhich may not have been expressed by the other maize variety to whichinbred line PHBAB was crossed and some of which may have been expressedby both maize varieties but now would be at a level equal to or greaterthan the level expressed in inbred variety PHBAB. However, in each casethe resulting progeny line would benefit from the efforts of theinventor(s), and would not have existed but for the inventor(s) work increating PHBAB. The PHBAB progeny inbred plants would have, on average,50% of their nuclear genes derived from inbred line PHBAB, but manyindividual plants from the population would have a greater percentage oftheir alleles derived from PHBAB. This breeding cycle, of crossing andselfing, and optional selection, may be repeated to produce anotherpopulation of PHBAB progeny maize plants with, on average, 25% of theirnuclear genes derived from inbred line PHBAB, but, again, manyindividual plants from the population would have a greater percentage oftheir alleles derived from PHBAB. Another embodiment of the invention isa PHBAB progeny plant that has received the desirable PHBAB traitslisted herein through the use of PHBAB, which traits were not exhibitedby other plants used in the breeding process.

The previous example can be modified in numerous ways, for instanceselection may or may not occur at every selfing generation, selectionmay occur before or after the actual self-pollination process occurs, orindividual selections may be made by harvesting individual ears, plants,rows or plots at any point during the breeding process described. Inaddition, double haploid breeding methods may be used at any step in theprocess. The population of plants produced at each and any cycle ofbreeding is also an embodiment of the invention, and on average eachsuch population would predictably consist of plants containingapproximately 50% of its genes from inbred line PHBAB in the firstbreeding cycle, 25% of its genes from inbred line PHBAB in the secondbreeding cycle, 12.5% of its genes from inbred line PHBAB in the thirdbreeding cycle and so on. However, in each case the use of PHBABprovides a substantial benefit. The linkage groups of PHBAB would beretained in the progeny lines, and since current estimates of the maizegenome size is about 50,000-80,000 genes (Xiaowu, Gai et al., NucleicAcids Research, 2000, Vol. 28, No. 1, 94-96), in addition to non-codingDNA that impacts gene expression, it provides a significant advantage touse PHBAB as starting material to produce a line that retains desiredgenetics or traits of PHBAB.

Another embodiment of this invention is the method of obtaining asubstantially homozygous PHBAB progeny plant by obtaining a seed fromthe cross of PHBAB and another maize plant and applying double haploidmethods to the F1 seed or F1 plant or to any successive filialgeneration. Such methods decrease the number of generations required toproduce an inbred with similar genetics or characteristics to PHBAB. SeeBernardo, R. and Kahler, A. L., Theor. Appl. Genet. 102:986-992, 2001.

The utility of inbred maize line PHBAB also extends to crosses withother species. Commonly, suitable species will be of the familyGraminaceae, and especially of the genera Zea, Tripsacum, Coix,Schlerachne, Polytoca, Chionachne, and Trilobachne, of the tribeMaydeae. Potentially suitable for crosses with PHBAB may be the variousvarieties of grain sorghum, Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench.

As is readily apparent to one skilled in the art, the foregoing are onlysome of the various ways by which the inbred can be obtained by thoselooking to use the germplasm. Other means are available, and the aboveexamples are illustrative only.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

Maize is used as human food, livestock feed, and as raw material inindustry. The food uses of maize, in addition to human consumption ofmaize kernels, include both products of dry- and wet-milling industries.The principal products of maize dry milling are grits, meal and flour.The maize wet-milling industry can provide maize starch, maize syrups,and dextrose for food use. Maize oil is recovered from maize germ, whichis a by-product of both dry- and wet-milling industries.

Maize, including both grain and non-grain portions of the plant, is alsoused extensively as livestock feed, primarily for beef cattle, dairycattle, hogs, and poultry.

Industrial uses of maize include production of ethanol, maize starch inthe wet-milling industry and maize flour in the dry-milling industry.The industrial applications of maize starch and flour are based onfunctional properties, such as viscosity, film formation, adhesiveproperties, and ability to suspend particles. The maize starch and flourhave application in the paper and textile industries. Other industrialuses include applications in adhesives, building materials, foundrybinders, laundry starches, explosives, oil-well muds, and other miningapplications.

Plant parts other than the grain of maize are also used in industry: forexample, stalks and husks are made into paper and wallboard and cobs areused for fuel and to make charcoal.

The seed of inbred maize line PHBAB, the plant produced from the inbredseed, the hybrid maize plant produced from the crossing of the inbred,hybrid seed, and various parts of the hybrid maize plant and transgenicversions of the foregoing, can be utilized for human food, livestockfeed, and as a raw material in industry.

DEPOSITS

Applicants have made a deposit of at least 2500 seeds of Inbred MaizeLine PHBAB with the American Type Culture Collection (ATCC), Manassas,Va. 20110 USA, ATCC Deposit No. PTA-4878. The seeds deposited with theATCC on Dec. 26, 2002 were taken from the deposit maintained by PioneerHi-Bred International, Inc., 7250 N.W. 62nd Avenue, Johnston, Iowa50131-1000 since prior to the filing date of this application. Access tothis deposit will be available during the pendency of the application tothe Commissioner of Patents and Trademarks and persons determined by theCommissioner to be entitled thereto upon request. Upon allowance of anyclaims in the application, the Applicants will make the depositavailable to the public pursuant to 37 C.F.R. § 1.808. This deposit ofthe Inbred Maize Line PHBAB will be maintained in the ATCC depository,which is a public depository, for a period of 30 years, or 5 years afterthe most recent request, or for the enforceable life of the patent,whichever is longer, and will be replaced if it becomes nonviable duringthat period. Additionally, Applicants have satisfied all therequirements of 37 C.F.R. §§ 1.801-1.809, including providing anindication of the viability of the sample upon deposit. Applicants haveno authority to waive any restrictions imposed by law on the transfer ofbiological material or its transportation in commerce. Applicants do notwaive any infringement of his rights granted under this patent or underthe Plant Variety Protection Act (7 USC 2321 et seq). U.S. Plant VarietyProtection of Inbred Maize Line PHBAB has been applied for underApplication No. 200300240.

TABLE 1 VARIETY DESCRIPTION INFORMATION PHBAB 1. TYPE: Sta. Sam.(Describe intermediate types in comments section) Avg. Dev Size 1 =Sweet, 2 = Dent, 3 = Flint, 4 = Flour, 5 = Pop and 3 6 = Ornamental.Comments: Flint-Dent 2. MATURITY: DAYS HEAT UNITS Days H.Units Fromemergence to 50% of plants in silk 54 1,357 From emergence to 50% ofplants in pollen 54 1,357 From 10% to 90% pollen shed  2   59 From 50%Silk to harvest at 25% moisture 3. PLANT: Plant Height (to tassel tip)(cm) 173.5 10.09 15 Ear Height (to base of top ear node) (cm) 61.1 5.8015 Length of Top Ear Internode (cm) 10.7 1.71 15 Average Number ofTillers per Plant 0.0 0.04 3 Average Number of Ears per Stalk 1.0 0.06 3Anthocyanin of Brace Roots: 1 = Absent, 2 = Faint, 3 3 = Moderate, 4 =Dark 4. LEAF: Width of Ear Node Leaf (cm) 8.1 0.52 15 Length of Ear NodeLeaf (cm) 66.7 2.35 15 Number of Leaves above Top Ear 5.9 0.59 15 LeafAngle: (measure from 2nd leaf above 26.6 8.96 15 ear at anthesis tostalk above leaf)(Degrees) * Leaf color: Dark Green Munsell code: 5GY34Leaf Sheath Pubescence: 1 = none to 9 = like peach fuzz 2 5. TASSEL:Number of Primary Lateral Branches 3.7 0.80 15 Branch Angle from CentralSpike 30.3 7.25 15 Tassel Length (from top leaf collar to tasseltip)(cm): 46.7 3.64 15 Pollen Shed: 0 = male sterile, 9 = heavy shed 4 *Anther Color: Yellow Munsell code: 5Y8.58 * Glume Color: Light GreenMunsell code: 7.5GY46 * Bar Glumes (glume bands): 1 = absent, 2 =present 1 Peduncle Length (from top leaf to basal branches) (cm): 15.52.39 15 6a. EAR (Unhusked ear) * Silk color: Light Green Munsell c.10Y86 (3 days after silk emergence) * Fresh husk color: Light GreenMunsell c. 5GY66 (25 days after 50% silking) * Dry husk color: BuffMunsell c. 2.5Y92 (65 days after 50% silking) Ear position at dry huskstage: 1 = upright, 2 = horizontal, 2 3 = pendant Husk tightness: (1 =very loose, 9 = very tight) 6 Husk extension (at harvest): 1 =short(ears exposed), 2 2 = medium (<8 cm), 3 = long (8-10 cm), 4 = v.long (>10 cm) 6b. EAR (Husked ear data) Ear length (cm): 11.9 1.39 15Ear diameter at mid-point (mm) 36.4 1.72 15 Ear weight (gm): 73.3 15.3315 Number of Kernel Rows: 14.4 0.83 15 Kernel Rows: 1 = indistinct, 2 =distinct 2 Row alignment: 1 = straight, 2 = slightly curved, 3 = spiral1 Shank Length (cm): 13.7 4.76 15 Ear Taper: 1 = slight cylind., 2 =average, 3 = extreme conic. 2 7. KERNEL (Dried): Kernel Length (mm):10.1 0.64 15 Kernel Width (mm): 6.7 0.59 15 Kernel Thickness (mm): 4.70.62 15 Round Kernels (shape grade) (%) 26.3 4.43 3 Aleurone Colorpattern: 1 = homozygous, 2 = segregating 1 * Aleurone Color: YellowMunsell c.: 10YR814 * Hard Endo. color: Yellow Munsell c.: 10YR714Endosperm Type: 3 1 = sweet (su1), 2 = extra sweet (sh2), 3 = normalstarch, 4 = high amylose starch, 5 = waxy starch, 6 = high protein, 7 =high lysine, 8 = super sweet (se), 9 = high oil, 10 = other Weight per100 kernels (unsized sample) (gm): 22.3 2.08 3 8. COB: * Cob Diameter atmid-point (mm): 20.5 0.83 15 * Cob Color: Red Munsell c.: 10R34 *Munsell Glossy Book of color, a standard color reference KollmorgenInst. Corp. New Windsor NY. 10. DISEASE RESISTANCE: (Rate from 1 =most-susceptable to 9 = most-resistant. Leave blank if not tested, leaverace or strain options blank if polygenic.) A. LEAF BLIGHTS, WILTS, ANDLOCAL INFECTION DISEASES Anthracnose Leaf Blight (Colletotrichumgraminicola) 6 Common Rust (Puccinia sorghi) Common Smut (Ustilagomaydis) 5 Eyespot (Kabatiella zeae) Gross's Wilt (Clavibactermichiganense spp. nebraskense) Gray Leaf Spot (Cercospora zeae-maydis)Helminthosporium Leaf Spot (Bipolaris zeicola) Race: 7 Northern LeafBlight (Exserohilum turcicum) Race: Southern Leaf Blight (Bipolarismaydis) Race: Southern Rust (Puccinia polysora) 6 Stewart's Wilt(Erwinia stewartii) Other (Specify):     B. SYSTEMIC DISEASES CornLethal Necrosis (MCMV and MDMV) 9 Head Smut (Sphacelotheca reiliana)Maize Chlorotic Dwarf Virus (MDV) Maize Chlorotic Mottle Virus (MCMV)Maize Dwarf Mosaic Virus (MDMV) Sorghum Downy Mildew of Corn(Peronosclerospora sorghi) Other (Specify):     C. STALK ROTS 7Anthracnose Stalk Rot (Colletotrichum graminicola) Diploidia Stalk Rot(Stenocarpella maydis) Fusarium Stalk Rot (Fusarium moniliforme)Gibberella Stalk Rot (Gibberella zeae) Other (Specify):     D. EAR ANDKERNEL ROTS Aspergillus Ear and Kernel Rot (Aspergillus flavus) DiplodiaEar Rot (Stenocarpella maydis) 8 Fusarium Ear and Kernel Rot (Fusariummoniliforme) 8 Gibberella Ear Rot (Gibberella zeae) Other (Specify):    11. INSECT RESISTANCE: (Rate from 1 = most-suscept. to 9 = most-resist.,leave blank if not tested.) Corn Worm (Helicoverpa zea) Leaf FeedingSilk Feeding Ear Damage Corn Leaf Aphid (Rophalosiphum maydis) Corn SapBeetle (Capophilus dimidiatus) European Corn Borer (Ostrinia nubilalis)1st. Generation (Typically whorl leaf feeding) 2nd. Generation(Typically leaf sheath-collar feeding) Stalk Tunneling cm tunneled/plantFall armyworm (Spodoptera fruqiperda) Leaf Feeding Silk Feeding mglarval wt. Maize Weevil (Sitophilus zeamaize) Northern Rootworm(Diabrotica barberi) Southern Rootworm (Diabrotica undecimpunctata)Southwestern Corn Borer (Diatreaea grandiosella) Leaf Feeding StalkTunneling cm tunneled/plant Two-spotted Spider Mite (Tetranychusutricae) Western Rootworm (Diabrotica virgifrea virgifrera) Other(Specify):_(———————) 12. AGRONOMIC TRAITS: 3 Staygreen (at 65 days afteranthesis; rate from 1-worst to 9-excellent) 0 % Dropped Ears (at 65 daysafter anthesis) % Pre-anthesis Brittle Snapping % Pre-anthesis RootLodging % Post-anthesis Root Lodging (at 65 days after anthesis) %Post-anthesis Stalk Lodging 3,122.0 Kg/ha Yield of inbred per se (at12-13% grain moisture) * Munsell Glossy Book of Color, a standard colorreference Kollmorgen Inst. Corp. New Windsor NY.

TABLE 2 SSR PROFILE OF PHBAB Locus Bin # PHBAB mwt bnlgl0l4 1.01 118phi427913 1.01 131 phi056 1.01 255 bnlg1127 1.02 119 bnlg1007 1.02 137bnlg1083 1.02 207 bnlg1627 1.02 207 bnlg1429 1.02 213 bnlg1953 1.02 255bnlg439 1.03 236 phi109275 1.03 136 bnlg1484 1.03 138 phi339017 1.03 148bnlg1203 1.03 307 dupssr26 1.04 154 bnlg2238 1.04 203 bnlg2086 1.04 228bnlg1016 1.04 255 bnlg1886 1.05 150 bnlg1832 1.05 236 bnlg1884 1.05 275bnlg1041 1.06 197 bnlg1615 1.06 240 bnlg1057 1.06 277 bnlg1556 1.07 207bnlg2228 1.08 228 phi002 1.08 76 phi335539 1.08 91 bnlg1331 1.09 124phi011 1.09 218 bnlg1720 1.09 240 (1.10) phi308707 1.10 134 phi2654541.11 228 phi260485 1.11 320 phi227562 1.11 322 phi064 1.11 97 bnlg20311.XX 238 bnlg1130 1.XX 260 phi402893 2.00 209 phi96100 2.01 296 bnlg10172.02 177 bnlg1327 2.02 277 bnlg2277 2.02 296 bnlg1537 2.03 138 phi1096422.03 152 bnlg1064 2.03 191 phi083 2.04 132 bnlg10l8 2.04 142 bnlg19092.05 298 bnlg1396 2.06 139 bnlg1036 2.06 166 bnlg1831 2.06 192 bnlg11382.06 225 phi251315 2.07 127 phi328189 2.08 124 phi127 2.08 124 phi4274342.08 126 bnlg1141 2.08 136 phi435417 2.08 219 bnlg2237 2.08 219 bnlg12582.08 229 bnlg1940 2.08 243 bnlg1520 2.09 296 phi101049 2.10 230 bnlg16902.XX 114 phi453121 3.00 214 phi104127 3.01 172 phi404206 3.01 301phi193225 3.02 137 bnlg1647 3.02 140 phi374118 3.02 220 bnlg1523 3.03305 bnlg1452 3.04 110 bnlg1113 3.04 123 phi029 3.04 160 bnlg1019 3.04162 bnlg1816 3.04 297 bnlg1035 3.05 104 phi053 3.05 169 phi073 3.05 194phi102228 3.06 131 bnlg1951 3.06 134 bnlg2241 3.06 172 bnlg1160 3.06 211phi072 4.00 143 (4.01) phi295450 4.01 199 phi213984 4.01 286 phi021 4.0395 bnlg1162 4.03 98 phi308090 4.04 223 phi079 4.05 190 bnlg1265 4.05 194phi438301 4.05 214 bnlg1755 4.05 241 phi026 4.05 91 bnlg1937 4.05 241(4.06) bnlg1137 4.06 135 umc2038 4.07 138 bnlgll89 4.07 141 bnlg17844.07 231 bnlg2244 4.08 224 phi093 4.08 292 phi076 4.11 173 bnlg1890 4.11252 bnlg1006 5.00 205 phi396160 5.02 303 phi109188 5.03 164 bnlg653 5.04154 bnlg1208 5.04 121 phi330507 5.04 134 bnlg1892 5.04 156 bnlg2323 5.04220 phi333597 5.05 219 phi085 5.06 262 bnlg1346 5.07 178 bnlgl711 5.07179 bnlg1118 5.07 68 bnlg1597 5.08 197 phi159819 6.00 123 (6.08)phi423796 6.01 138 bnlg1422 6.01 220 phi389203 6.03 307 bnlg1174 6.05222 umc1413 6.05 305 phi445613 6.05 99 Umc1463 6.06 300 phi299852 6.07120 phi364545 6.07 134 phi070 6.07 86 phi338882 6.XX 169 Bnlg2132 7.00203 Umc1159 7.01 234 phi034 7.02 122 Bnlg1094 7.02 173 Bnlg1292 7.03 141Bnlg1070 7.03 149 Bnlg2271 7.03 237 phi328175 7.04 131 phi051 7.05 142phi069 7.05 206 phi116 7.06 172 Bnlg1194 8.02 144 Bnlg2082 8.03 139phi100175 8.03 140 Bnlg1863 8.03 274 phi115 8.03 303 phi121 8.03 97Bnlg2046 8.04 321 Bnlg1176 8.05 229 Bnlg1152 8.06 151 Bnlg1031 8.06 294Bnlg1065 8.07 241 phi015 8.08 84 Bnlg1056 8.08 97 phi233376 8.09 139Bnlg1810 9.01 208 Bnlg2122 9.01 240 phi033 9.01 252 Umc1037 9.02 218Bnlg1159 9.04 149 Bnlg1012 9.04 163 phi032 9.04 241 phi108411 9.05 125phi236654 9.05 126 phi448880 9.06 187 (9.07) Bnlg6l9 9.07 275 bnlg13759.07 169 bnlg1129 9.08 301 phi041 10.00 205 phi059 10.02 147 phi9634210.02 250 bnlg1079 10.03 174 bnlg1655 10.03 206 phi050 10.03 80phi301654 10.04 138 phi062 10.04 161 phi323152 10.05 144 bnlg1074 10.05174 bnlg1028 10.06 137 bnlg1185 10.07 168 bnlg1450 10.07 187 bnlg183910.07 236

TABLE 3A PAIRED INBRED COMPARISON REPORT Variety #1: PHBAB Variety #2:PHG47 YIELD YIELD MST EGRWTH ESTCNT GDUSHD GDUSLK POLWT POLWT TASBLSTASSZ PLTHT BU/A 56# BU/A 56# POT SCORE COUNT GDU GDU VALUE VALUE SCORESCORE CM Stat ABS % MN ABS ABS ABS ABS ABS ABS % MN ABS ABS ABS Mean167.4 68.3 21.5 5.0 23.0 115.0 115.4 93.4 86.8 9.0 3.8 176.6 Mean2 48.249.7 17.0 4.0 22.0 120.6 120.2 51.4 47.8 9.0 5.4 158.8 Locs 4 4 4 1 1 55 4 4 2 5 4 Reps 7 7 7 1 1 5 5 7 7 2 5 4 Diff 19.2 18.6 −4.5 1.0 1.0−5.6 −4.8 42.1 39.0 0.0 −1.6 17.8 Prob 0.055 0.044 0.162 0.005 0.0080.037 0.035 1.000 0.056 0.259 EARHT STAGRN STKLDG SCTGRN TEXEAR EARMLDFUSERS CM SCORE % NOT SCORE SCORE SCORE SCORE Stat ABS ABS ABS ABS ABSABS ABS Mean1 67.5 1.0 47.4 7.8 6.0 8.7 8.7 Mean2 50.0 2.0 27.8 7.8 7.06.0 5.7 Locs 2 1 1 4 1 3 3 Reps 2 1 1 4 1 3 3 Diff 17.5 −1.0 19.6 0.0−1.0 2.7 3.0 Prob 0.258 1.000 0.270 0.189

TABLE 3B PAIRED INBRED COMPARISON REPORT Variety #1: PHBAB Variety #2:PH0AV YIELD YIELD MST EGRWTH ESTCNT TILLER GDUSHD GDUSLK BU/A 56# BU/A56# PCT SCORE COUNT PCT GDU GDU Stat ABS % MN ABS ABS ABS ABS ABS ABSMean1 56.9 58.8 16.0 6.0 21.5 1.8 118.5 118.5 Mean2 71.5 73.8 13.9 6.122.5 6.9 116.5 117.4 Locs 8 8 11 10 11 4 11 11 Reps 14 14 18 10 11 4 1111 Diff −14.5 −14.9 −2.1 −0.1 −0.9 5.2 1.9 1.1 Prob 0.052 0.050 0.1850.591 0.391 0.391 0.150 0.097 POLWT POLWT TASBLS TASSZ PLTHT EARHTSTAGRN STKLDG VALUE VALUE SCORE SCORE CM CM SCORE % NOT Stat ABS % MNABS ABS ABS ABS ABS ABS Mean1 125.7 97.1 9.0 3.7 178.6 75.0 1.0 47.4Mean2 107.0 85.4 9.0 4.0 176.8 76.7 1.0 84.2 Locs 11 11 2 11 9 3 1 1Reps 21 21 2 11 9 3 1 1 Diff 18.6 11.7 0.0 −0.3 1.8 −1.7 0.0 −36.8 Prob0.140 0.192 1.000 0.602 0.830 0.885 SCTGRN TEXEAR EARMLD BARPLT FUSERSCLDTST CLDTST KSZDCD SCORE SCORE SCORE % NOT SCORE PCT PCT PCT Stat ABSABS ABS ABS ABS ABS % MN ABS Mean1 7.3 6.0 8.0 95.3 8.2 90.6 103.7 13.3Mean2 8.0 4.0 5.5 97.2 5.2 80.1 91.7 12.4 Locs 6 1 4 4 5 7 7 7 Reps 6 14 4 5 7 7 7 Diff −0.7 2.0 2.5 −1.9 3.0 10.4 12.0 0.9 Prob 0.394 0.0800.722 0.029 0.001 0.001 0.736

TABLE 3C PAIRED INBRED COMPARISON REPORT Variety #1: PHBAB Variety #2:PH1W2 YIELD YIELD MST EGRWTH ESTONT TILLER GDUSHD GDUSLK BU/A 56# BU/A56# PCT SCORE COUNT PCT GDU GDU Stat ABS % MN ABS ABS ABS ABS ABS ABSMean1 56.9 58.8 17.3 6.0 21.5 1.8 115.4 115.4 Mean2 135.4 140.9 18.7 6.424.1 15.9 124.0 123.3 Locs 8 8 8 10 11 4 10 10 Reps 14 14 15 10 11 4 1010 Diff −78.5 −82.1 1.4 −0.4 −2.5 14.1 −8.6 −7.9 Prob 0.000 0.000 0.3840.037 0.000 0.152 0.000 0.000 POLWT POLWT TASBLS TASSZ PLTHT EARHTSTAGRN STKLDG VALUE VALUE SCORE SCORE CM CM SCORE % NOT Stat ABS % MNABS ABS ABS ABS ABS ABS Mean1 124.0 95.0 9.0 3.7 178.6 75.0 1.0 47.4Mean2 154.3 117.3 9.0 4.8 210.1 93.3 4.0 36.4 Locs 7 7 2 11 9 3 1 1 Reps13 13 2 11 9 3 1 1 Diff −30.3 −22.3 0.0 −1.1 −31.4 −18.3 −3.0 11.0 Prob0.377 0.324 1.000 0.052 0.003 0.187 SCTGRN TEXEAR EARMLD BARPLT FUSERSSCORE SCORE SCORE % NOT SCORE Stat ABS ABS ABS ABS ABS Mean1 7.3 6.0 8.295.3 8.2 Mean2 8.0 8.0 6.8 100.0 6.4 Locs 6 1 5 4 5 Reps 6 1 5 4 5 Diff−0.7 −2.0 1.4 −4.7 1.8 Prob 0.286 0.135 0.200 0.053

TABLE 4 Average Inbred By Tester Performance Comparing PHBAB To PH1W2Crossed To The Same Inbred Testers And Grown In The Same Experiments.YIELD MST EGRWTH ESTCNT GDUSHD BU/A 56# PCT SCORE COUNT GDU — ABS ABSABS ABS ABS Reps 34 37 4 3 13 Locs 34 37 4 3 13 PHBAB 179.4 20.5 5.064.7 121.4 PH1W2 190.0 22.5 5.0 60.3 123.4 Diff 10.5 2.0 0.0 4.3 2.0Pr > T 0.000 0.000 1.000 0.471 0.039 GDUSLK PLTHT EARHT STAGRN TSTWT GDUCM CM SCORE LB/BU — ABS ABS ABS ABS ABS Reps 6 15 14 18 24 Locs 6 15 1418 24 PHBAB 120.2 267.4 113.3 4.6 54.8 PH1W2 122.7 272.6 114.6 6.1 54.8Diff 2.5 5.1 1.3 1.6 0.1 Pr > T 0.185 0.395 0.549 0.000 0.809 NLFBLTSTLLPN EBTSTK SCORE % NOT % NOT — ABS ABS ABS Reps 1 1 12 Locs 1 1 12PHBAB 4.5 100.0 86.5 PH1W2 7.0 98.3 84.3 Diff 2.5 1.7 2.2 Pr > T 0.296*Pr > T values are valid only for comparisons with Locs >= 10

TABLE 5 General Combining Ability Report for Inbred PHBAB YIELD bu/a 56#ABS Mean 171.9 YIELD bu/a 56# ABS Locs 90 YIELD bu/a 56# ABS Reps 185YIELD bu/a 56# ABS Years 3 MST pct ABS Mean 19.8 MST pct ABS Locs 92 MSTpct ABS Reps 196 MST pct ABS Years 3 EGRWTH score ABS Mean 5.5 EGRWTHscore ABS Locs 23 EGRWTH score ABS Reps 39 EGRWTH score ABS Years 3ESTCNT count ABS Mean 59.4 ESTCNT count ABS Locs 15 ESTCNT count ABSReps 36 ESTCNT count ABS Years 2 GDUSHD GDU ABS Mean 122 GDUSHD GDU ABSLocs 39 GDUSHD GDU ABS Reps 100 GDUSHD GDU ABS Years 3 GDUSLK GDU ABSMean 121.2 GDUSLK GDU ABS Locs 26 GDUSLK GDU ABS Reps 59 GDUSLK GDU ABSYears 3 PLTHT cm ABS Mean 273.7 PLTHT cm ABS Locs 32 PLTHT cm ABS Reps80 PLTHT cm ABS Years 3 EARHT cm ABS Mean 115.3 EARHT cm ABS Locs 31EARHT cm ABS Reps 76 EARHT cm ABS Years 3 STAGRN score ABS Mean 5.1STAGRN score ABS Locs 40 STAGRN score ABS Reps 90 STAGRN score ABS Years3 TSTWT lb/bu ABS Mean 54.6 TSTWT lb/bu ABS Locs 79 TSTWT lb/bu ABS Reps167 TSTWT lb/bu ABS Years 3 GLFSPT score ABS Mean 6.2 GLFSPT score ABSLocs 4 GLFSPT score ABS Reps 6 GLFSPT score ABS Years 2 NLFBLT score ABSMean 5.6 NLFBLT score ABS Locs 2 NLFBLT score ABS Reps 8 NLFBLT scoreABS Years 2 ANTROT score ABS Mean 7.7 ANTROT score ABS Locs 3 ANTROTscore ABS Reps 6 ANTROT score ABS Years 2 GIBERS score ABS Mean 7.3GIBERS score ABS Locs 2 GIBERS score ABS Reps 3 GIBERS score ABS Years 1EYESPT score ABS Mean 4 EYESPT score ABS Locs 1 EYESPT score ABS Reps 2EYESPT score ABS Years 1 ECB1LF score ABS Mean 4.8 ECB1LF score ABS Locs2 ECB1LF score ABS Reps 5 ECB1LF score ABS Years 2 ECB2SC score ABS Mean2.9 ECB2SC score ABS Locs 4 ECB2SC score ABS Reps 8 ECB2SC score ABSYears 2 GIBROT score ABS Mean 4.5 GIBROT score ABS Locs 1 GIBROT scoreABS Reps 2 GIBROT score ABS Years 1 BRTSTK % NOT ABS Mean 99.7 BRTSTK %NOT ABS Locs 3 BRTSTK % NOT ABS Reps 6 BRTSTK % NOT ABS Years 2 STLLPN %NOT ABS Mean 84 STLLPN % NOT ABS Locs 25 STLLPN % NOT ABS Reps 82 STLLPN% NOT ABS Years 3 ABTSTK % NOT ABS Mean 64.2 ABTSTK % NOT ABS Locs 4ABTSTK % NOT ABS Reps 22 ABTSTK % NOT ABS Years 2 ERTLPN % NOT ABS Mean94.9 ERTLPN % NOT ABS Locs 13 ERTLPN % NOT ABS Reps 21 ERTLPN % NOT ABSYears 2 LRTLPN % NOT ABS Mean 92.9 LRTLPN % NOT ABS Locs 16 LRTLPN % NOTABS Reps 32 LRTLPN % NOT ABS Years 2

TABLE 5A Combining Ability Report for Inbred PHBAB F1 data for InbredLine PHBAB when crossed to various tester lines YIELD YIELD YIELD bu/a56# bu/a 56# bu/a 56# MST pct MST pct MST pct EGRWTH EGRWTH ABS ABS ABSABS ABS ABS score ABS score ABS Tester Mean Locs Reps Mean Locs RepsMean Locs 50090H 172 11 11 17.4 13 13 4 1 53334C 170.4 89 98 20.4 91 1005.5 22 57091G 180.4 12 12 16.4 13 13 5 1 76051G 165.4 15 15 21 16 16 6 257093H 173.9 11 11 181 12 12 6 1 61692H 170.5 8 8 16.4 10 10 5 1 EGRWTHESTCNT ESTCNT ESTCNT GDUSHD GDUSHD GDUSHD GDUSLK score ABS count ABScount ABS count ABS GDU ABS GDU ABS GDU ABS GDU ABS Tester Reps MeanLocs Reps Mean Locs Reps Mean 50090H 1 119.1 8 8 119 53334C 29 57.4 1527 122.8 36 48 121.5 57091G 1 118.4 9 9 117 76051G 2 64.3 3 3 125 5 6124 57093H 1 119.1 9 9 118.5 61692H 1 120 8 8 120 GDUSLK GDUSLK PLTHT cmPLTHT cm PLTHT cm EARHT EARHT EARHT GDU ABS GDU ABS ABS ABS ABS cm ABScm ABS cm ABS Tester Locs Reps Mean Locs Reps Mean Locs Reps 50090H 4 4281.6 7 7 116.4 6 6 53334C 25 34 273.1 28 33 117.2 27 32 57091G 4 4295.7 7 7 130.8 6 6 76051G 1 1 263.8 6 7 98.7 6 7 57093H 4 4 278.3 7 7117.7 6 6 61692H 4 4 269.7 5 5 120.9 5 5 STAGRN STAGRN STAGRN TSTWTTSTWT TSTWT NLFBLT NLFBLT score ABS score ABS score ABS lb/bu ABS lb/buABS lb/bu ABS score ABS score ABS Tester Mean Locs Reps Mean Locs RepsMean Locs 50090H 4.6 8 8 55.7 11 11 53334C 5.3 37 41 54.6 77 86 8 157091G 4.4 8 8 55.5 12 12 76051G 5.5 6 6 53.7 13 13 6.5 1 57093H 5.3 8 854.7 11 11 61692H 3.9 7 7 55.5 8 8 NLFBLT BRTSTK BRTSTK BRTSTK STLLPNSTLLPN STLLPN ERTLPN score ABS % NOT ABS % NOT ABS % NOT ABS % NOT ABS %NOT ABS % NOT ABS % NOT ABS Tester Reps Mean Locs Reps Mean Locs RepsMean 50090H 100 1 1 84.9 8 8 53334C 2 99.4 3 3 83.8 20 32 93.7 57091G100 1 1 86.5 7 7 76051G 2 92.7 4 6 93.5 57093H 100 1 1 82.2 7 7 61692H76.7 8 8 ERTLPN ERTLPN LRTLPN LRTLPN LRTLPN % NOT ABS % NOT ABS % NOTABS % NOT ABS % NOT ABS Tester Locs Reps Mean Locs Reps 50090H 53334C 1315 90.1 16 19 57091G 76051G 2 2 93.3 3 3 57093H 61692H

TABLE 6A INBREDS IN HYBRID COMBINATION REPORT Variety #1: HYBRIDCONTAINING PHBAB - Variety #2: 38T27 YIELD YIELD MST EGRWTH ESTCNTGDUSHD GDUSLK STKCNT BU/A 56# BU/A 56# PCT SCORE COUNT GDU GDU COUNTStat ABS % MN % MN % MN % MN % MN % MN % MN Mean1 170.4 102.7 101.2100.5 100.8 100.9 100.1 99.0 Mean2 168.7 101.2 100.8 100.9 105.3 101.5101.3 100.0 Locs 55 55 55 13 7 29 23 90 Reps 56 56 56 13 13 38 30 138Diff 1.7 1.6 −0.5 −0.4 −4.5 −0.6 −1.2 −1.0 Prob 0.379 0.251 0.672 0.9400.456 0.203 0.024 0.007 PLTHT EARHT STAGRN LRTLSC STKLDS STKLDG ABTSTKDRPEAR CM CM SCORE SCORE SCORE % NOT % NOT % NOT Stat % MN % MN % MN ABSABS % MN % MN % MN Mean1 95.5 92.1 100.0 7.0 8.6 99.0 107.0 100.4 Mean2101.6 96.3 114.2 8.0 7.9 93.0 91.6 99.6 Locs 22 22 29 1 4 3 1 2 Reps 2323 30 1 6 3 4 2 Diff −6.1 −4.2 −14.1 −1.0 0.8 6.0 15.4 0.9 Prob 0.0000.064 0.036 0.182 0.127 0.500 TSTWT GLFSPT NLFBLT GOSWLT ANTROT FUSERSGIBERS ECB1LF LB/BU SCORE SCORE SCORE SCORE SCORE SCORE SCORE Stat ABSABS ABS ABS ABS ABS ABS ABS Mean1 54.4 6.8 7.5 6.5 8.0 4.0 6.7 7.0 Mean255.8 3.0 6.0 7.0 3.0 4.0 6.7 6.5 Locs 33 2 2 1 2 1 3 1 Reps 34 3 3 2 4 15 2 Diff −1.4 3.8 1.5 −0.5 5.0 0.0 0.0 0.5 Prob 0.000 0.042 0.205 0.1861.000 ECB2SC HSKCVR BRTSTK HD SMT ERTLPN LRTLPN SCORE SCORE % NOT % NOT% NOT % NOT Stat ABS ABS ABS ABS ABS ABS Mean1 5.8 5.7 99.2 99.4 86.491.4 Mean2 5.4 5.4 99.2 100.0 71.4 71.2 Locs 7 14 2 2 7 13 Reps 9 14 2 37 16 Diff 0.4 0.4 0.0 −0.6 15.0 20.3 Prob 0.356 0.266 1.000 0.500 0.1130.016

TABLE 6B INBREDS IN HYBRID COMBINATION REPORT Variety #1: HYBRIDCONTAINING PHBAB - Variety #2: 38P05 YIELD YIELD MST EGRWTH ESTCNTGDUSHD GDUSLK STKCNT PLTHT BU/A 56# BU/A 56# PCT SCORE COUNT GDU GDUCOUNT CM Stat ABS % MN % MN % MN % MN % MN % MN % MN % MN Mean1 174.6103.5 102.1 97.0 106.3 101.1 100.3 99.5 96.3 Mean2 164.4 97.8 96.3 89.5101.7 98.1 97.9 100.6 94.1 Locs 104 104 104 21 18 41 36 161 33 Reps 111111 111 24 27 51 45 241 37 Diff 10.1 5.7 −5.8 7.4 4.6 3.0 2.4 −1.1 2.2Prob 0.000 0.000 0.000 0.219 0.120 0.000 0.000 0.000 0.004 EARHT STAGRNLRTLSC STKLDS STKLDG ABTSTK DRPEAR TSTWT GLFSPT CM SCORE SCORE SCORE %NOT % NOT % NOT LB/BU SCORE Stat % MN % MN ABS ABS % MN % MN % MN ABSABS Mean1 92.8 107.2 7.0 8.6 99.0 96.7 100.4 54.0 7.2 Mean2 90.0 105.84.0 7.6 100.9 91.0 100.4 56.2 4.0 Locs 33 43 1 4 3 4 2 56 3 Reps 37 47 16 3 22 2 60 4 Diff 2.7 1.4 3.0 1.0 −1.9 5.7 0.0 −2.2 3.2 Prob 0.0690.816 0.161 0.585 0.483 1.000 0.000 0.034 NLFBLT GOSWLT ANTROT FUSERSGIBERS EYESPT ECBDPE ECB1LF ECB2SC SCORE SCORE SCORE SCORE SCORE SCORE %NOT SCORE SCORE Stat ABS ABS ABS ABS ABS ABS ABS ABS ABS Mean1 7.1 7.87.5 6.9 6.4 4.0 96.8 5.2 5.1 Mean2 6.2 7.5 3.3 5.6 6.5 6.5 98.8 4.8 5.4Locs 5 2 2 4 5 1 6 2 11 Reps 7 4 4 5 7 2 6 5 15 Diff 0.9 0.3 4.3 1.3−0.1 −2.5 −2.0 0.4 −0.3 Prob 0.276 0.795 0.182 0.080 0.908 0.145 0.1260.465 HSKCVR GIBROT BRTSTK HD SMT ERTLPN LRTLPN SCORE SCORE % NOT % NOT% NOT % NOT Stat ABS ABS ABS ABS ABS ABS Mean1 5.9 4.5 99.2 99.8 92.988.7 Mean2 5.1 1.5 100.0 97.1 79.4 82.6 Locs 18 1 2 6 18 20 Reps 19 2 29 21 23 Diff 0.8 3.0 −0.8 2.7 13.5 6.1 Prob 0.001 0.500 0.265 0.0020.205

TABLE 6C INBREDS IN HYBRID COMBINATION REPORT Variety #1: HYBRIDCONTAINING PHBAB - Variety #2: 38A24 YIELD YIELD MST EGRWTH ESTCNTGDUSHD GDUSLK STKCNT PLTHT BU/A 56# BU/A 56# PCT SCORE COUNT GDU GDUCOUNT CM Stat ABS % MN % MN % MN % MN % MN % MN % MN % MN Mean1 175.7103.6 101.6 97.7 106.3 101.1 100.3 99.6 96.0 Mean2 171.6 101.2 101.0100.2 101.7 100.8 100.4 100.4 96.6 Locs 107 107 107 26 18 41 36 168 33Reps 118 118 118 33 26 51 45 254 38 Diff 4.2 2.4 −0.7 −2.5 4.6 0.3 −0.1−0.8 −0.6 Prob 0.009 0.013 0.256 0.601 0.034 0.397 0.833 0.003 0.375EARHT STAGRN LRTLSC STKLDS STKLDG ABTSTK DRPEAR TSTWT GLFSPT CM SCORESCORE SCORE % NOT % NOT % NOT LB/BU SCORE Stat % MN % MN ABS ABS % MN %MN % MN ABS ABS Mean1 92.7 106.4 7.0 8.6 99.0 96.7 100.1 54.2 6.5 Mean295.4 111.2 2.0 7.8 100.3 88.6 100.1 56.5 5.0 Locs 33 44 1 4 3 4 1 59 4Reps 38 49 1 6 3 22 1 67 6 Diff −2.7 −4.8 5.0 0.9 −1.2 8.1 0.0 −2.3 1.5Prob 0.036 0.243 0.340 0.736 0.310 0.000 0.058 NLFBLT GOSWLT ANTROTFUSERS GIBERS EYESPT ECBDPE ECB1LF ECB2SC SCORE SCORE SCORE SCORE SCORESCORE % NOT SCORE SCORE Stat ABS ABS ABS ABS ABS ABS ABS ABS ABS Mean17.1 7.8 7.5 6.9 6.4 4.0 96.8 5.2 5.1 Mean2 6.0 8.0 4.8 7.4 6.5 6.5 98.15.7 6.1 Locs 5 2 2 4 5 1 6 2 11 Reps 7 4 4 5 8 2 6 5 15 Diff 1.1 −0.32.8 −0.5 −0.1 −2.5 −1.3 −0.5 −0.9 Prob 0.051 0.795 0.437 0.604 0.9000.261 0.500 0.141 HSKCVR GIBROT BRTSTK HD SMT ERTLPN LRTLPN SCORE SCORE% NOT % NOT % NOT % NOT Stat ABS ABS ABS ABS ABS ABS Mean1 5.8 4.5 99.299.8 92.9 89.9 Mean2 6.0 1.0 97.4 98.7 64.8 72.2 Locs 20 1 2 6 18 20Reps 23 2 2 9 21 24 Diff −0.1 3.5 1.8 1.1 28.1 17.8 Prob 0.541 0.0340.177 0.002 0.008

All publications, patents and patent applications mentioned in thespecification are indicative of the level of those skilled in the art towhich this invention pertains. All such publications, patents and patentapplications are incorporated by reference herein for the purpose citedto the same extent as if each was specifically and individuallyindicated to be incorporated by reference herein.

The foregoing invention has been described in detail by way ofillustration and example for purposes of clarity and understanding.However, it is obvious that certain changes and modifications such asbackcross conversions and mutations, somoclonal variants, variantindividuals selected from large populations of the plants of the instantinbred and the like may be practiced within the scope of the invention,as limited only by the scope of the appended claims.

1. A seed comprising at least one set of the chromosomes of maize inbredline PHBAB, representative seed of said line having been deposited underATCC Accession No: PTA-4878.
 2. A maize plant produced by growing theseed of claim
 1. 3. A maize plant part of the maize plant of claim
 2. 4.An F1 hybrid maize seed produced by crossing a plant of maize inbredline designated PHBAB, representative seed of said line having beendeposited under ATCC Accession No: PTA-4878, with a different maizeplant and harvesting the resultant F1 hybrid maize seed, wherein said F1hybrid maize seed comprises two sets of chromosomes and one set of thechromosomes is the same as maize inbred line PHBAB.
 5. A maize plantproduced by growing the F1 hybrid maize seed of claim
 4. 6. A maizeplant part of the maize plant of claim
 5. 7. An F1 hybrid maize seedcomprising an inbred maize plant cell of inbred maize line PHBAB,representative seed of said line having been deposited under ATCCAccession No: PTA-4878.
 8. A maize plant produced by growing the F1hybrid maize seed of claim
 7. 9. The F1 hybrid maize seed of claim 7wherein the inbred maize plant cell comprises two sets of chromosomes ofmaize inbred line PHBAB.
 10. A maize plant produced by growing the F1hybrid maize seed of claim
 9. 11. A process of introducing a desiredtrait into maize inbred line PHBAB comprising: (a) crossing PHBAB plantsgrown from PHBAB seed, representative seed of which has been depositedunder ATCC Accession No: PTA-4878, with plants of another maize linethat comprise a desired trait to produce F1 progeny plants, wherein thedesired trait is selected from the group consisting of waxy starch, malesterility, herbicide resistance, insect resistance, bacterial diseaseresistance, fungal disease resistance, and viral disease resistance; (b)selecting F1 progeny plants that have the desired trait to produceselected F1 progeny plants; (c) crossing the selected progeny plantswith the PHBAB plants to produce backcross progeny plants; (d) selectingfor backcross progeny plants that have the desired trait and the allelesof inbred line PHBAB at the SSR loci listed in Table 2 to produceselected backcross progeny plants; and (e) repeating steps (c) and (d)to produce backcross progeny plants that comprise the desired trait andcomprise at least 95% of the alleles of inbred line PHBAB at the SSRloci listed in Table
 2. 12. A plant produced by the process of claim 11,wherein the plant comprises at least 95% of the alleles of inbred linePHBAB at the SSR loci listed in Table
 2. 13. A maize plant having allthe physiological and morphological characteristics of inbred linePHBAB, wherein a sample of the seed of inbred line PHBAB was depositedunder ATCC Accession No: PTA-4878.
 14. A process of producing maizeseed, comprising crossing a first parent maize plant with a secondparent maize plant, wherein one or both of the first or the secondparent maize plants is the plant of claim 13, wherein seed is allowed toform.
 15. The maize seed produced by the process of claim
 14. 16. Themaize seed of claim 15, wherein the maize seed is hybrid seed.
 17. Ahybrid maize plant, or its parts, produced by growing said hybrid seedof claim
 16. 18. The maize plant of claim 13, further comprising an SSRprofile in accordance with the profile shown in Table
 2. 19. A cell ofthe maize plant of claim
 13. 20. The cell of claim 19, wherein said cellis further defined as having an SSR profile in accordance with theprofile shown in Table
 2. 21. A seed comprising the cell of claim 19.22. The maize plant of claim 13, further comprising a genome having asingle gene conversion.
 23. The maize plant of claim 22, wherein thesingle gene was stably inserted into the maize genome by transformation.24. The maize plant of claim 22, wherein the gene is selected from thegroup consisting of a dominant allele and a recessive allele.
 25. Themaize plant of claim 22, wherein the gene confers a trait selected fromthe group consisting of herbicide tolerance; insect resistance;resistance to bacterial, fungal, nematode or viral disease; waxy starch;male sterility and restoration of male fertility.
 26. The maize plant ofclaim 13, wherein said plant further comprises a gene conferring malesterility.
 27. The maize plant of claim 13, wherein said plant furthercomprises a transgene conferring a trait selected from the groupconsisting of male sterility, herbicide resistance, insect resistanceand disease resistance.
 28. A method of producing a maize plantcomprising the steps of: (a) growing a progeny plant produced bycrossing the plant of claim 13 with a second maize plant; (b) crossingthe progeny plant with itself or a different plant to produce a seed ofa progeny plant of a subsequent generation; (c) growing a progeny plantof a subsequent generation from said seed and crossing the progeny plantof a subsequent generation with itself or a different plant; and (d)repeating steps (b) and (c) for an additional 0-5 generations to producea maize plant.
 29. The method of claim 28 wherein the produced maizeplant is an inbred maize plant.
 30. The method of claim 29, furthercomprising the step of crossing the inbred maize plant with a second,distinct inbred maize plant to produce an F1 hybrid maize plant.
 31. Amethod for developing a second maize plant in a maize plant breedingprogram comprising plant breeding techniques to a first maize plant, orits parts, wherein said first maize plant is the maize plant of claim 13and wherein application of said techniques results in development ofsaid second maize plant.
 32. The method for developing a maize plant ina maize plant breeding program of claim 31 wherein plant breedingtechniques are selected from the group consisting of recurrentselection, backcrossing, pedigree breeding, restriction fragment lengthpolymorphism enhanced selection, genetic marker enhanced selection, andtransformation.
 33. A method of plant breeding comprising the steps of:(a) obtaining a molecular marker profile of maize inbred line PHBAB,representative seed of said line having been deposited under ATCCAccession No. PTA-4878; (b) obtaining an F1 hybrid seed for which themaize plant of claim 13 is a parent; (c) crossing a plant grown from theF1 hybrid seed with a different maize plant; and (d) selecting progenythat retain the molecular marker profile of PHBAB.